Why You Should Check Your State Pension Now
If you haven’t already, make it a priority to check your state pension before April 2025. Understanding your state pension entitlement is a crucial part of your retirement planning, and acting now could make a significant difference to your future income.
Your state pension is likely to form an important foundation of your retirement pot. The amount you’ll receive depends on how many ‘qualifying’ years of National Insurance (NI) contributions you have. These qualifying years include NI contributions made while working, as well as credits you may receive if you were unable to work due to certain circumstances.
To qualify for the full state pension – currently £221.20 per week – you generally need 35 years of NI contributions. If you have gaps in your record, you might not receive the full amount. Fortunately, there’s an opportunity to fill these gaps by paying voluntary contributions, but this window closes in April 2025.