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Class 3 contributions are voluntary contributions which an individual can pay in order to maintain their eligibility for contributory state benefits under the UK national insurance system¹. The right to make such contributions is normally preserved by the international agreements relating to social security to which the UK is a party, notwithstanding the fact that no compulsory contributions may be payable in the UK.

The rate of Class 3 contributions for the 2021/22 contribution year is £15.40 per week². For rates for earlier years, see T8.107.

Before considering whether to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions, it is necessary to establish whether the individual remains liable for Class 1 or Class 2 contributions on becoming employed or self-employed in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or a country with which the UK has a social security agreement. Such a liability would mean it is unnecessary to pay Class 3 contributions voluntarily. This is discussed in E8.722–E8.735 (Class 1) and E8.714 (Class 2).