State Pension Forecast UK: How to Check Yours
Missing NI years are quietly costing thousands of UK workers retirement income forever. A two-minute gov.uk check could be the highest-return move you ever make in your fifties.
Annual State Pension by qualifying NI years, 2026/27
Each qualifying year above 10 adds 1/35th of the full pension. Voluntary Class 3 contributions (~£907/yr) fill gaps.
Key takeaways
A full new State Pension in 2026/27 is £230.25 a week, requiring 35 qualifying National Insurance years
Check your forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension - takes 2 minutes with a Government Gateway login
Missing years can be filled by paying voluntary Class 3 NI contributions, currently around £900 per year - usually a high-return move
Stay-at-home parents earn NI credits automatically if they claim Child Benefit, even when opting out of payment