35 Years In – Can I Stop Paying National Insurance?

If you’ve been contributing to National Insurance for decades, it’s only natural to wonder:
“Can I stop paying National Insurance after 35 years?”

This is a common question, particularly among people nearing retirement age, or those who have consistently worked throughout their careers. You may have heard that 35 years of National Insurance contributions are needed to get the full State Pension — so surely anything beyond that is unnecessary, right?

Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.

This article explains the full picture for UK residents — whether employed, self-employed, or nearing retirement — and outlines when and how you might be able to stop paying National Insurance contributions legally, depending on your age, income, and employment status.

What is National Insurance and Why Do We Pay It?

National Insurance (NI) is a system of contributions paid by workers and employers in the UK to fund a range of state benefits. These include:

• The State Pension
• Maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Statutory sick pay
• Unemployment benefits (e.g. Jobseeker’s Allowance)
• Bereavement support and other welfare services

NI contributions are deducted automatically from wages if you’re employed or declared as part of your annual tax return if you’re self-employed. Unlike income tax, National Insurance doesn’t apply for life — there comes a point when most people can stop paying it. But it’s not strictly tied to the number of years you’ve contributed.

The “35 Years” Rule — What Does It Really Mean?

The number 35 matters because it’s the number of qualifying years of National Insurance needed to receive the full new State Pension. This applies to people who reached pension age on or after 6 April 2016.

In the 2025/26 tax year, the full new State Pension is £221.20 per week, or about £11,502 annually.

What is a “Qualifying Year”?

A qualifying year is one in which:

• You were employed and earned over the Lower Earnings Limit
• You paid self-employed contributions (Class 2 or Class 4)
• You received National Insurance credits (e.g., for caring responsibilities, illness, or unemployment)

Once you’ve achieved 35 qualifying years, you’re entitled to the full State Pension, provided you meet the age criteria. But this does not automatically release you from the obligation to keep paying NI if you’re still working.

Can You Stop Paying National Insurance After 35 Years?

Not necessarily. Reaching 35 years of contributions means you’ve qualified for the full State Pension, but your obligation to continue paying National Insurance depends on your age and income, not just how many years you’ve paid in.

Here’s a more detailed look:

When Can You Stop Paying National Insurance?

1. You Reach State Pension Age

 

This is the main trigger for stopping National Insurance payments. Once you reach State Pension age — currently 66 for both men and women — you no longer have to pay National Insurance, regardless of how much you earn or how many years you’ve paid in.

Your employer (if you’re still working) should stop deducting Class 1 NICs from your payslip as soon as you reach this age. But make sure to inform them and provide proof of your age (like your birth certificate or passport), as payroll systems don’t always update automatically.

For self-employed people, Class 2 and Class 4 contributions also cease after State Pension age.

Note: You can still work after pension age — but you won’t pay NI anymore. However, you will still pay income tax if you earn above your personal allowance.

2. You Earn Below the NI Threshold

Even if you’re below State Pension age, you may not need to pay NI if your earnings are below the primary threshold. In the 2025/26 tax year, this threshold is:

• £1,048 per month, or
• £12,570 per year

If you earn less than this (either through part-time work, casual work, or self-employment), you won’t have to pay National Insurance contributions.

However, earning below the threshold could mean that the year doesn’t count toward your pension — unless you receive NI credits from the government, which may be granted if you’re:

• Claiming Universal Credit
• Acting as a full-time carer
• Receiving Carer’s Allowance or other qualifying benefits

3. You Have an NI Credit or Benefit Exemption

Certain individuals can receive automatic National Insurance credits, which contribute to their pension record without needing to make payments.

These include:

• Full-time carers
• Parents on maternity/paternity leave
• People receiving sickness or disability benefits
• Those unemployed and actively seeking work

If you’re in any of these situations, you can still accumulate qualifying years without paying National Insurance.

What About Self-Employed People?

If you’re self-employed and below State Pension age, you’re generally required to pay:

• Class 2 NI contributions (flat weekly rate)
• Class 4 contributions (percentage of annual profits)

Once you pass State Pension age, both Class 2 and Class 4 obligations stop.

However, if your self-employed profits are low (below £6,725 in 2025/26), you may already be exempt from Class 2 contributions and only pay Class 4 if profits exceed £12,570.

It’s important to update HMRC of your income status during your Self Assessment submission so you’re not overpaying.

Should You Pay Voluntary Contributions After 35 Years?

Voluntary contributions (Class 3) are usually paid to fill in gaps in your National Insurance record — for example, if you took time off to raise children, travel, or were unemployed without benefits.

But once you’ve built up 35 qualifying years, paying extra Class 3 contributions is not necessary — you won’t receive a higher State Pension beyond that point. Your record is complete.

You can check your National Insurance record and forecast on GOV.UK to confirm how many qualifying years you have and whether you’re on track.

Summary: Key Takeaways

Let’s answer the main question one more time:

Can I stop paying National Insurance after 35 years?

Not unless you’re over the State Pension age or earning below the threshold.

Here’s a quick guide:

Condition	Do You Still Pay NI?
Under State Pension age and employed	Yes
Self-employed and under pension age	Yes (Class 2/4)
Over State Pension age	No
Earning below NI thresholds	No, but may not get a qualifying year

Final Thoughts

While 35 years of contributions might make you eligible for the full State Pension, they do not automatically release you from paying further National Insurance. Your legal obligation to contribute ends only when you reach State Pension age or earn below the income thresholds.

Understanding the rules helps you avoid overpaying — and ensures you don’t miss out on important benefits by stopping too soon.