To qualify for a full state pension—currently around £11,500 a year—you need 35 years of full National Insurance (NI) contributions. If you have fewer than 10 years, you’ll normally receive nothing, and with 10-34 years, you’ll get a proportionate amount (e.g., 20 years = 20 thirty-fifths of the full pension).
One-off opportunity: until 5 April 2025, you can make voluntary NI contributions to fill gaps in your record dating right back to 2006. After that, you'll only be able to cover the last six years. This is a unique chance to improve your pension.
NI credits through Child Benefit. Even if you’ve never worked, you may have some NI credits. For example, women who claimed Child Benefit for children under 19 (or under 12 after April 2010) are credited with contributions during the claiming period.
Those most at risk of a low pension include individuals who’ve spent significant time outside the UK and housewives without children.
Voluntary contributions cost up to £900 per year: you’d normally recoup this within three years of receiving your pension.
What to do if you’re unsure about your pension
Don’t delay. It’s important to act quickly, as HMRC may take time to process any voluntary contributions and you don’t want to risk missing the 5 April 2025 deadline. The sooner you check this out, the better.
Check your State Pension forecast: log into the Government Gateway (Check State Pension) with your NI number to see your forecast and contribution history. The process requires some IT skills so get someone to help you if needed.
Be aware: The forecast assumes you’ll keep paying NI going forward, which won’t apply if you’re not working.
If you can see from the forecast you won’t receive a full pension, call the Future Pension Centre (0800 731 0175) for advice. Wait times can be long, so be patient.
Note that Government NI records may be wrong. For women who received Child Benefit it is possible the records may not reflect all your contributions. Do check your forecast carefully. See Correcting NI Records for Child Benefit Claims.
Before paying voluntary contributions, get professional advice. Although it's usually beneficial to fill gaps, get an accountant to confirm the best action.
