There are certain other times in your life when you could have been awarded NI credits when you pay not have been and you need to claim manually. For example, statutory maternity, caring for relatives or a spouse of the armed forces. The full list of what you can claim for and how to manually apply is detailed here https://www.gov.uk/national- insurance-credits/eligibility These may not have been automatically added to your record. You should automatically have been applied NI credits in all of the following scenarios: • Employed and earning at least £6,396 a year • Self-employed with profits of at least £6,725 a year ('small profits threshold' • Claiming universal credit • On jobseeker's allowance and not in education/working for 16 hours or more every week • On maternity allowance • On income support and providing 'regular and substantial care' • In a couple and both getting working tax credits (only one of you will get NI credits) • On carer's allowance • A parent registered for child benefit for a child under 12 • On employment and support allowance, or 'unemployability supplement' or allowance • Over 18 and Jobcentre Plus sent you on a Government-approved training course lasting up to a year 3. Should you pay to boost your state pension? Now there is the question. You have a window of opportunity until April 2023 to boost your state pension and then the gaps you can go back and top up will reduce to 6 years. However, it is not always a simple decision. If you are close to state pension age, are no longer working and therefore cannot get 35 qualifying years anywhere else plus you have less time to wait until the pension payments start then it could be a no brainer. If you are younger, then it’s a tougher decision. You may work and complete the required years before retirement anyway and therefore you will have paid for no reason. You may die before your state pension and not see the benefit of it. The younger you are, the more likely you will work the required amount but what the future holds is something no one knows so it has to be personal decision. Anyone under 45 for example should have enough time to top up unless you are sure you won’t make them up, for example if you move abroad or stop work early and are not entitled to any of the other credits. Buying national insurance years can vary in costs depending on whether it’s a full year you are topping up, you’re self employed or it’s the previous two years but as a guideline it costs