Has anyone paid voluntary national insurance whilst unemployed and not on benefits?

[dudsville]

I'm trying to work out how much voluntary national insurance contributions are for an unemplyed person not on benefits, but I'm future planning, not elgible to do this now, so I can't do the online calculation. I will stop work about 5 years before I meet full state pension contributions and I want to budget how much it will cost to make those additional contributions. Costs will rise but I'd like to know this year's figures as a ball park estimate. Has anyone done this and feel able to let me know?

I’m stopping work 3 years NI contributions short of a full SP.

I intend to buy the remainder just before I am 67 (my SP age), not earlier just in case I do do some extra work in the years between stopping and SP.

This gov.uk page explains how and when and eligibility. I’m expecting ballpark £825py but I know it varies.

Thanks @Chewbecca , I've been all around the gov.uk pages and still felt uncertain, but I also came up with an £8?? number so it's reassuring that you did too!

A couple of years ago for me to catch up for a missed year it was £760 pounds, so around the £850 mark sounds about right.

Fab, thanks @Dreikanter !

Just for anyone who looks after a child between finishing work and state pension age, look at claiming Specified Adult childcare NI credits. Credits your NI account for each year you care for a child, doesn't affect the parents NI if they're working, doesn't need to be full time care, applies to children up to the age of 12. Claim in October for the previous tax year.

I’d rather not look after a child, thanks, I’m hoping to be swanning round the world!