The Workers Rights 
Nearly 7 million Brits have never checked the forecast of their UK State Pension — and it could cost them thousands of pounds when they reach the age of 65. With gaps in your NI history, you may find that you are on course to receive a smaller pension than you have anticipated. Here’s the information you need and here’s how to correct it.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
| People who never saw their State Pension forecast | ~6.9 million (1 in 8) |
| Age group least likely to check | 45–54-year-olds |
| The number of years required to obtain the full new State Pension. | 35 years |
| Length of service required for any State Pension | 10 years |
| Full new State Pension (2026/27) | £221.20 per week |
| Deadline to fill historical NI gaps (pre-2006). | Please see gov.uk for any up-to-date deadlines. |
| Where to check your forecast | The HMRC app or gov.uk is where you can check your State Pension. |
Why Most People Put It Off (And Why That’s a Mistake)
It seems that one of the biggest reasons for not looking at their State Pension forecast UK is that retirement is a long way off. 25% of adults say that. Others have concerns about having taken a break from work, working abroad or being unemployed, and so decide not to work at all to avoid the number and hence the impact on their State Pension entitlement in the UK.
This avoidance comes at a price. One year of the National Insurance class absence will cost you approximately £6.32 a week from your State Pension. That’s over £6,500 from one gap over 20 years of retirement.
What Actually Creates a National Insurance Gap?
The period of record for your National Insurance contributions includes periods of employment, self-employment and some credits. When you are:
- Unemployed and not claiming credits – If you do not work and do not claim credits, then signing on for Jobseeker’s Allowance will protect your record, but not working without claiming is not.
- Getting work outside of the UK – most time spent outside the UK is not counted towards eligibility for the UK State pension, except for time spent in a country that has a social security agreement.
- Low income from self-employment – if your income is below the Small Profits Threshold, then you may not automatically qualify for a year of service – even though you are self-employed.
- Caring full-time – without claiming Carer’s Credit or Child Benefit, caring periods can leave State Pension missing years on your record
State Pension Qualifying Years: How the Maths Works
| Qualifying Years | What You Get |
| Fewer than 10 | No State Pension at all |
| 10–34 | A proportional amount |
| 35 or more | Full new State Pension (£221.20/week) |
The state pension qualifying years for 2026 will be worked out the same way as in previous years, and each full year of NI contributions or credits will count as a qualifying year.
How to Check Your UK State Pension Forecast Right Now
- Download the HMRC app (free on iOS and Android) or visit the gov.uk Check your State Pension tool
- Sign in using your Gov.uk ID.
- Look at your forecast – here, you can see how much you are expected to pay each week on your record.
- Look for gaps: Any years without contributions or partial contributions will be identified by the tool.
- To choose whether or not to fill them (you may make voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps if you are eligible and within the deadlines)
Is It Worth Paying to Fill Gaps?
In most cases, yes, but not always, depending on the number of years left until you reach the State Pension age in the UK, and the number of gaps you’re considering. A single voluntary year will cost about £824 (Class 3 rate 2026/27) and will increase your pension by about £328 a year. The break-even is approximately 2.5 years’ pension. To most, it is one of the highest returns they typically get.
It’s worth checking out National Insurance credits as you may be able to get free credits for periods of childcare, sickness and unemployment that you didn’t realise. Credits are complimentary and will be counted just as any payments made to reduce the shortfall in your State Pension.
Comparison: Checked vs. Not Checked
| Scenario | Risk Level | Likely Outcome |
| Never checked, no gaps | Low | Fine, but you don’t know — |
| This indicator is not assessed, and there are gaps in the assessment. | High | Reduce pensions and retirement income. |
| Verified, identified gaps, voluntary NI paid | Low | Completes the entire pension plan or reaches near completion. |
| Checked, gaps discovered, credits earned! | Low | Any gaps that need filling have been done for free. |
| On track, 35+ years, Checked | Minimal | Full new State Pension on track |
FAQs
How to review the UK State Pension forecast?
Use the HMRC app or the gov.uk State Pension forecast tool. A Government Gateway account will be required.
How many years do I have to pay to get the full new State Pension?
35 qualifying years. To get anything, you need at least 10.
May I backfill my National Insurance record?
Yes. The majority of gaps can be covered by voluntary National Insurance contributions (Class 3). Older gaps have deadlines, so check to not miss the deadline.
What are National Insurance credits?
You are credited with certain periods of time, such as childcare, sickness and unemployment, and do not have to pay anything. They are treated the same as paying contributions towards your projected pension in the UK.
If someone works abroad, does that mean that there is a gap in National Insurance?
It can. Generally, work that does not take place in a nation where there is a UK social security agreement will not be counted. If you’ve lived or worked abroad, it’s especially important to check your National Insurance record.
If my forecast of State Pension is lower than I thought, what do I do?
Even though it might seem daunting, do not do it out of panic; look for unclaimed credits first, then try to make a voluntary contribution. The gov.uk tool will reveal the real years that are missing and how much it will cost to complete.
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