Where to find your National Insurance record and State Pension forecast
In your personal tax account
- Use the 'Check your National Insurance record' service on GOV.UK and sign in, or create sign-in details.
- You may be asked to prove your identity, normally with photo ID such as a passport or driving licence.
- For a forecast, use 'Check your State Pension forecast' with the same sign-in.
In the HMRC app
- Sign in to the HMRC app to see gaps in your NI record, pay to fill them, and check your State Pension summary.
On letters and returns
- If you live abroad, request a statement with form CA3916, online or by post.
- You can also ask for a statement by phone or by writing to HMRC. Statements can't be requested for the current or previous tax year.
- For a forecast by post, fill in form BR19, or call the Future Pension Centre, if you'll reach State Pension age in more than 30 days.
What it looks like
A year-by-year list of tax years, each marked as a full qualifying year or showing a gap, with the National Insurance paid or credited for that year.
If you've lost it
- There's nothing to lose: the record is held by HMRC. Sign in to view it again, or request a statement by phone or post.
- If you can't sign in, recover your user ID or password from the HMRC sign-in screen.
Record and forecast: what each shows
The NI record lists what you've paid up to the start of the current tax year, the National Insurance credits you've received, and whether gaps mean some years aren't qualifying years.
The State Pension forecast tells you how much State Pension you could get, when you can get it, and whether you can increase it, for example by paying voluntary contributions to fill gaps. Paying voluntary contributions changes the forecast, so check the record first.
When the online forecast isn't available
You can't use the online forecast if you're already getting your State Pension or have deferred claiming it. The postal and phone routes need you to be more than 30 days from State Pension age. GOV.UK says applying online is the quickest way to get a forecast, and that State Pension age is reviewed regularly, so a forecast can change.
Before you pay to fill a gap
The record shows credits as well as payments, and whether you'd benefit from paying voluntary contributions for a year. Check that before you pay. If you paid contributions in the Isle of Man and reach State Pension age after 5 April 2016, those won't show on your record: contact the Isle of Man National Insurance office.
Related
What else will you need?
- Where to find itFind your NI numberYour National Insurance number is made up of 2 letters, 6 numbers and a final letter.
- Where to find itHMRC app and tax accountThe HMRC app and your personal tax account on GOV.UK are where you find most personal tax references.
- Where to find itFind your Gateway user IDA Government Gateway user ID is up to 12 characters long and, with a password, signs you in to HMRC online services such as your personal tax account and Self Assessment.
- Where to find itFind your P60A P60 summarises the pay you received and the tax deducted in a tax year, from 6 April to 5 April.
Rather we did it?
Countify can handle this for you, for a fixed fee agreed upfront.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
How do I check my National Insurance record?
Online through GOV.UK's 'Check your National Insurance record' service, or in the HMRC app. If you live abroad, use form CA3916.
Does my record include this tax year?
No. It shows what you've paid up to the start of the current tax year, and statements can't be requested for the current or previous tax year.
Can I get a State Pension forecast if I'm already retired?
Not online. The service isn't available if you're already getting your State Pension or have deferred it.
How can I get a forecast without going online?
Fill in form BR19 and post it, or call the Future Pension Centre, which posts the forecast to you. Both need you to be more than 30 days from State Pension age.
Checked against GOV.UK on · Reviewed by Kamran Ishaq FCCA, Founder & CEO, on .
Sources: Check your National Insurance record (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs); Check your State Pension forecast (opens in a new tab) (GOV.UK); Download the HMRC app (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs).
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (opens in a new tab).