Millions of people may not receive the full £221.20 a week State Pension (Image: Getty)
Millions of workers across the UK may be unknowingly missing out on their full State Pension entitlement. Three particular groups are most likely to be affected.
A former Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) official has cautioned that breaks in National Insurance contributions, historical childcare regulations and legacy ‘contracted out’ pension arrangements mean certain individuals might receive less than the full £221.20 weekly payment.
Speaking ot the Daily Record, Sandra Wrench – who spent 42 years at the DWP – explained that the problem particularly impacts older women who were homemakers prior to the late 1970s, part-time working carers, and employees who accumulated pension entitlements through employer schemes before reforms in 2016.
This comes as discussions continue about whether pensioners should resume paying National Insurance contributions – despite existing regulations preventing additional State Pension accrual after reaching State Pension age.
Here’s what you need to know, including which groups may be impacted, and how to verify whether your record is accurate.
Three groups are most at risk of missing the full State Pension (Image: Getty)
What is the State Pension currently worth?
The full New State Pension stands at £221.20 weekly – slightly over £11,500 annually. From 6 April, this will increase to £241.30 per week, bringing the annual figure to approximately £12,500.
Recipients of the older Basic State Pension presently receive £176.45 weekly, increasing to £184.90 in April.
However, the full sum isn’t guaranteed for everyone. What you receive depends on your National Insurance (NI) contribution history.
How do you qualify for the New State Pension?
You usually need at least 10 qualifying years on your NI record to receive anything at all. These years do not have to be consecutive.
A qualifying year is one where at least one of the following applied:
- You were working and paid National Insurance
- You received National Insurance credits (for example while unemployed, ill, caring for someone or claiming child benefit)
- You paid voluntary National Insurance contributions
To receive the full New State Pension, most people need around 35 qualifying years. If you have lived or worked abroad, you may still qualify depending on the country involved.
Some women who paid the married woman’s or widow’s reduced rate may also qualify under different rules.
Three groups most at risk of missing the full State Pension
1. Women who stayed at home before 1978
Sandra explained how women who had children before April 6, 1978, may be among the worst affected.
Before Home Responsibilities Protection was introduced, stay-at-home mothers did not automatically receive National Insurance protection while raising children.
That means some women built up gaps in their NI record during those years – reducing the amount of State Pension they now receive.
In some cases, this has left women on around 60 per cent of the old Basic State Pension.
If you were caring for children before 1978, it’s worth checking your NI record to see whether you have missing years.
Full details on Home Responsibility Payment can be found on GOV.UK.
2. Carers working part-time
Sandra said carers who work reduced hours could also fall short.
If your earnings are below the Lower Earnings Limit (currently around £6,500 a year), you may not automatically build up a qualifying year.
However, you could still protect your record through:
- National Insurance credits
- Carer’s Credit
- Or by paying voluntary contributions
Many carers don’t realise they need to actively check this.
3. Workers who were ‘contracted out’
Sandra explained that before April 2016, millions of workers were part of workplace pension schemes that were “contracted out” of part of the State Pension system.
They paid lower National Insurance at the time, because part of their pension was being built up in their company scheme instead.
When the New State Pension was introduced in 2016, these workers often started with a lower ‘starting amount’ than the full flat rate.
They haven’t lost money overall – but some have not reached the full New State Pension amount if they did not have enough qualifying years after 2016.
Read more: Older state pensioners to get £2,932 less from DWP in 2026
Read more: Older state pensioners given extra £443 per month DWP boost from April
The tax year rule catching some people out
Sandra says there is also a little-known rule that can leave people frustrated.
You can only use complete tax years towards your State Pension.
If you reach State Pension age during a tax year, that year will not count – even if you paid enough National Insurance in it.
That has left some people paying contributions they cannot use towards boosting their pension.
How to check your NI record – and what to do if you’re short
The quickest way to see where you stand is to check your National Insurance record online.
You can do this through your personal tax account on the GOV.UK website. Search for “check your State Pension forecast” and log in using your Government Gateway details.
- How many qualifying years you currently have
- How many more you may need for the full amount
- Whether you have any gaps in your record
- Whether you can improve your forecast
If you can’t access the internet, you can request a paper forecast by contacting the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175.
What if you have NI gaps?
If your record shows missing years, you may be able to fill them. Below are some options to consider.
1. Claiming NI credits
You may be entitled to credits if you were:
- Unemployed and claiming benefits
- Off work due to illness
- Receiving Child Benefit
- Caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week
Some credits are automatic, but not all. It’s worth checking.
2. Paying voluntary contributions
You can usually pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in the past six tax years.
This can cost several hundred pounds per year – but boosting your State Pension by even a small weekly amount can add up to thousands over retirement.
Before paying anything, it’s strongly recommended you contact the Future Pension Centre to confirm that topping up will actually increase your pension.
3. Working longer (if you are below State Pension age)
If you are still under State Pension age, additional qualifying years through work can increase your final amount – as long as you have not already reached the maximum.
Don’t assume you are getting the full amount
Many people believe they will automatically receive the maximum State Pension, but that isn’t always the case.
A quick check now could mean hundreds – or even thousands – of pounds more over the course of your retirement.
It’s not complicated. But ignoring it could be expensive.
Check your State Pension forecast online at GOV.UK.
