HMRC offers an online service to check your National Insurance Contributions (NIC) record online. In order to use the service, you will need to have a Government Gateway account. If you don't have an account, you can apply to set one up online.

By signing in to the 'Check your National Insurance record' service you will also activate your personal tax account if you haven’t already done so. The personal tax account can be used to complete a variety of tasks, for example, updating an address or managing your child benefits.

Your National Insurance record online will let you see:

• What you have paid, up to the start of the current tax year (6 April 2019)
• Any National Insurance credits you’ve received
• If gaps in contributions or credits mean some years don’t count towards your State Pension (they aren't 'qualifying years')
• If you can pay voluntary contributions to fill any gaps and how much this will cost

In many circumstances it can be beneficial to make voluntary contributions to increase your entitlement to benefits, including the State or New State Pension.