Millions could benefit from a state pension boost; learn how to fill in any gaps in your National Insurance record

Over two million people do not receive their full state pension, and this could be changed to increase their benefits

According to new research, up to one in four pensioners are not aware that they could fill in gaps in their National Insurance record and receive additional income from their state pension.

The data from retirement specialist Just Group revealed that an additional 10% of people over 66 were unclear about the guidelines for backdating National Insurance (NI) to raise their state pension.

Even though 4 out of 5 million pensioners currently receive the new state pension, according to the most recent Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics, a staggering 45% of peopleor just over two million peopledo not currently receive the full entitlement.

For the 2025 - 2026 fiscal year, the full new state pension is currently 11,973. DWP data, however, shows that over 200,000 pensioners receive less than half of the total amount.

Before claiming the state pension, people should review their National Insurance record, according to Stephen Lowe, group communications director at retirement specialist Just Group.

The state pension, which for many people makes up the majority of their income, is the cornerstone of retirement finances in the United Kingdom. But because they haven't accrued enough qualifying years of National Insurance contributions, millions of people do not receive the full amount," he said.

"We strongly advise people to confirm that they will receive the full new state pension before filing for it, and if not, to look over their National Insurance record to identify any gaps.

It's worth seeing if you qualify for additional income by filing for Attendance Allowance if you've reached state pension age.

What is the minimum amount of National Insurance contributions required to receive the full state pension?

To receive the full new state pension, one must currently have made qualifying National Insurance contributions for at least 35 years.

Recipients of any new state pension must have completed at least 10 qualifying years.

There is a lot of misunderstanding regarding qualifying years. According to a study by Justs, less than half (57 percent) of adults who are at least of state pension age were aware of the number of years of NI contributions required to receive the full new state pension.

However, the state pension is also a vital source of income for many pensioners. According to Justs research, one in seven (13 percent) people over 66 stated that their state pension covered more than 90% of their monthly household income, with 44% stating that it made up more than half of their household income.

For the state pension, how can I view my National Insurance record?

To find out how much you have paid so far this tax year, you can look up your National Insurance record online. Additionally, you will be able to determine whether certain years are not eligible for your state pension due to gaps in contributions.

To fill in any gaps, the online tool can help you determine whether you will benefit from making voluntary contributions, how paying voluntary contributions will alter your state pension forecast, and whether you can pay voluntary contributions online and how much it will cost. Prior to making voluntary contributions, be sure to determine your eligibility for National Insurance credits.

It will also display your state pension age and the amount of state pension you are expected to receive.

Can I fill in the blanks in my National Insurance record to receive the state pension?

You will be on the new system if you became eligible for state pensions after April 6, 2016. By making voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions, gaps in National Insurance records can be filled in. Only the last six tax years, though, are eligible for these.

The year you're purchasing determines the rate you pay.

To purchase 2019/20, pay 824.20 (15.85 per week).

To purchase 202021, pay 79560 (1530 per week).

To purchase 2021 - 2022, pay 800 points (or 15 points per week).

To purchase 2022 - 2023, use 824.20 (15.85 per week).

Buy 2023/24 for 907.40 (17.45 per week).

To purchase 2024 - 2025, pay 90740 (1745 per week).

923 (17 points per week) to purchase 2025/26.

It'll be less if you're self-employed or topping up for a partial year.

You receive an additional one-third of the state pension for each year you purchase. Your state pension might increase by 340 per year, or 6,800 over 20 years. This implies that you will receive your money back as long as you are alive at least three years after the official retirement age.

You will, however, be on the outdated pension system if you attained state pension age prior to April 6, 2016. This implies that using voluntary contributions to increase your income is not possible.

Are gaps in National Insurance worth filling?

When you take into account that the triple lock causes the state pension to increase annually based on the higher of 2 percent, wage growth, or CPI inflation, the voluntary NI contributions system is generally a good value. To put it simply, the value of the state pension increases over time.

However, there is some flexibility in the state pension age. Although it is currently 66, it will increase to 67 starting the following year, with the higher age being fully implemented by April 2028. It is then anticipated to rise to 68 between 2044 and 2048, but recent weeks have seen a rise in conjecture that this might be implemented due to worries about the benefit's long-term viability.

With that in mind, it might not be worth the cost to fill in the gaps for younger individuals in particular, as they will still reach the 35-year contribution target over the course of their lives, according to Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners.

Unless they are certain they won't make them up later, like when they intend to take a long vacation or stop working for a while, it would be a significant risk for them to purchase now.

For example, someone who has recently returned from a period of employment abroad and is hoping to retire soon might find the option to pay for years missed over the previous six years helpful.

Ultimately, if your health is poor and you are unlikely to live long enough to benefit, any potential gain from purchasing voluntary NI contributions will be completely erased.

"It may not be worth adding to your NI record if you are a higher earner, for instance, as it may put you in a higher tax bracket when you get your state pension income," Haine stated.

Can National Insurance credits be obtained?

If a person has been out of work for any of the following reasonsmaternity leave, unemployment, illness, or unpaid caregivingthey may be eligible to receive free National Insurance credits to fill in any gaps in their National Insurance records.

"You might discover that you have more years accrued than you realize because you can also accrue NI years for free by obtaining tax credits," Haine said.

As a parent or guardian of a child under the age of twelve, someone on statutory sick leave, someone looking for work, someone fostering a child or caring for a sick or disabled person, someone serving on a jury, someone receiving maternity, paternity, or adoption pay, or even someone who has been wrongfully imprisoned are all situations that may qualify for NI credits.

If you are responsible for a child under the age of twelve, find out if you are eligible to receive National Insurance credits. When Child Benefit is paid, the claimant's record is updated with National Insurance credits. They can request to have them transferred to you at the end of each tax year, though, if they are already employed and making contributions anyhow.

According to Haine, "NI credits can frequently be applied automatically, but if they are not on your record, it is always wise to put in a manual claim." However, there are specific requirements for each scenario.

Should my National Insurance record be updated?

It can be difficult to determine whether to top up, and in the end, there's no use in paying for more years than you require because you won't receive your money back.

To find out how many years you can purchase and whether voluntary contributions will increase your state pension, Haine advised calling the Government's Future Pension Service at 0800 731 0175. Individuals who have attained state pension age must call 0800 731 0469 to reach the Pension Service.

Haine stated, "An adviser at the Future Pensions Service can talk through this with you and offer guidance for your unique situation and whether buying a missing year will actually enhance your state pension in the long run."

Citizens Advice can be a useful resource for anyone with questions about Pension Credit in order to determine whether topping up is worthwhile.