One of the main reasons you need to check if there are gaps in your National Insurance (NI) record is to make sure you have paid sufficient contributions to get a full state pension when you retire.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), jointly with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), have launched a new digital service, Check your State Pension Forecast, so you can see what contributions you have on your record and pay any voluntary contributions to fill any gaps.
The service will tell you how much your State Pension could increase and give details of the voluntary NI contributions you would need to pay to achieve the increase which can be paid through the service.
Not all gaps in your NI record will increase your state pension entitlement, so please take advice to ensure any voluntary contributions will benefit you.
Further reading: Check your State Pension Forecast