Voluntary National Insurance payments can usually cover gaps in a record over the previous six years.
Where a person is eligible to pay voluntary National Insurance, there will be a wide range of variables as the following details and contexts explain:
Employed but earning under £120 a week and not eligible for National Insurance credits - class three
Self-employed with profits under £6,475 - Class two or Class three, with each counting towards different benefits
Both employed and self-employed, with low earnings and small profits - HMRC will need to be contacted for guidance
Self-employed as an examiner, minister of religion or in an investment or land and property business -Class two or Class three, with each counting towards different benefits