I used to worry about this all the time. I don’t always earn a high income, and sometimes I don’t even pay National Insurance (NI). That made me wonder: Will I still get a State Pension when I retire?
If you’ve asked yourself the same question, this guide about i don’t earn enough to pay national insurance will i get a pension will help you understand how it all works.
What Is National Insurance and Why Is It Important?
In the UK, you need to have a certain number of years of National Insurance contributions (or credits) to qualify for the State Pension.
It’s not about how much money you’ve paid — it’s about how many qualifying years you have on your NI record.
What is a qualifying year?
A qualifying year is a year in which:
- You worked and earned enough to pay or be credited with NI
- You received certain benefits (like Jobseeker’s Allowance)
- You were a carer or on maternity leave (you may get automatic credits)
How Many Years Do I Need to Get a State Pension?
- To get any State Pension, you need at least 10 qualifying years
- To receive the full new State Pension, you are in need of 35 qualifying years
Even if you don’t reach 35 years, you’ll still get a partial pension based on how many years you’ve built up.
I Don’t Earn Enough to Pay National Insurance Will I Get a Pension?
What is the income limit for paying NI?
In 2024/25, if you earn less than £6,396 a year, you don’t pay National Insurance.
But here’s the good news:
If you earn between £6,396 and £12,570, and you’re employed, you may still get a qualifying year, even though no NI is deducted from your pay.
That means you can still build up your pension without actually paying National Insurance.
Will I Still Get a Pension If I Don’t Pay NI Every Year?
Yes — but only if you have enough qualifying years.
Can I get NI credits?
Yes! Even if you don’t work as a woman or man or earn very little, you might still get NI credits if:
- You’re receiving certain benefits
- You’re a carer
- You’re looking after children
- You’re on maternity or paternity leave
These credits add towards your State Pension just like paid contributions.
What Happens If I Have Gaps in My National Insurance Record?
If I’ve missed some years — for example, if I didn’t work, or earned too little — I may have gaps in my record. This can reduce my pension.
But I found out I can fill in those gaps.
Can I pay voluntary contributions?
Yes. If you want to top up your record, you can pay Class 3 voluntary NI contributions.
- These cost around £17.45 per week
- You can pay for past years to help increase your pension
- It’s worth checking if this will actually boost your pension amount
Before paying, I always check:
- How many years I’ve missed
- How close I am to getting the full pension
- Whether I’m eligible for free NI credits instead
What If I Have a Workplace or Private Pension?
Even if my State Pension isn’t full, I might still have other options.
Workplace pension
If I work for an employer, I’m likely enrolled in a workplace pension — even if I don’t earn much. My employer often adds money to it, too.
Personal pension
I can also open a personal pension on my own. I can pay in small amounts whenever I can afford to.
These pensions add to my total retirement income and give me more security later in life.
What Support Can I Get If My Pension Is Low?
If I reach pension age and my income is still low, I might be able to claim Pension Credit.
This is a government benefit that can:
- Top up my weekly income
- Help cover other costs (like council tax or heating)
Even if I don’t qualify for the full State Pension, this support could make a big difference.
Tips I Use to Protect My Pension as a Low Earner
If, like me, you don’t always meet the income threshold, these steps can help:
- I check my National Insurance record every year
- I claim NI credits where possible (e.g. as a carer)
- I look into voluntary NI payments if I have gaps
- I keep track of any workplace pension schemes I’m part of
- I use the State Pension forecast to plan ahead
- I get advice if I’m not sure what to do next
Table: What Happens in Different Situations
| My Situation | NI Status | Pension Effect |
| Earning under £6,396 | No NI paid | No qualifying year unless I claim credits |
| Earning between £6,396 and £12,570 | NI credits likely apply | Qualifying year added |
| Self-employed, low profit | May not pay NI | Might need to pay Class 2 or 3 voluntary |
| Receiving benefits or caring | NI credits added automatically | Qualifying year added |
| Taking time off work | Depends on activity | May need to top up later |
Conclusion – Here’s What I’ve Learned
Not paying National Insurance every year doesn’t mean I won’t get a pension.
I’ve learned that:
- I can still build up qualifying years through credits
- I can top up missing years if needed
- I don’t need a full 35 years to get some State Pension
- There’s extra help available if my income is low
Knowing where I stand gives me confidence that I’ll have some financial support in retirement, even if I haven’t always earned a lot.
FAQs About I Don’t Earn Enough to Pay National Insurance Will I Get a Pension
1. Do I get a pension if I earn too little to pay NI?
Yes, if you earn enough to get NI credits or claim them through benefits, you’ll still build qualifying years.
2. What’s the minimum to earn NI credits?
In 2024/25, you need to earn £123 per week to get a qualifying year through work.
3. Can I buy extra years if I missed some?
Yes — through Class 3 voluntary NI contributions.
4. How many years do I need for a pension?
You need a minimum of 10 years to get any pension, and 35 years for the full amount.
Leave a Reply