Your state pension forecast shows how much you’ll receive at retirement. Here’s how to check it and what to do if it’s less than expected.
Read more: See our State Pension guide for a complete overview of this topic.
How to Check Your Forecast
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Go to gov.uk/check-state-pension
Step 2: Sign in or create an account
| Method | Process |
|---|---|
| Government Gateway | Use existing ID and password |
| GOV.UK One Login | New verification system |
| No account | Create one when you sign in |
You may be asked to prove your identity when you sign in, usually with photo ID such as a passport or driving licence. The service isn’t for you if you’re already getting your State Pension or have deferred claiming it: contact the Pension Service instead.
Step 3: View your forecast
You’ll see:
- Your predicted state pension amount
- Your state pension age
- Your National Insurance record
Other Ways to Get a Forecast
If you can’t or don’t want to use the online service (phone and post are for people more than 30 days from their State Pension age):
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Phone | The Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 |
| Post | Fill in form BR19 (Application for a State Pension statement) from GOV.UK and send it to the Future Pension Centre; the reply takes a few weeks |
| HMRC app | Shows your State Pension forecast and National Insurance record |
It’s worth checking again after a career break, a spell of self-employment or time abroad, and always before you pay voluntary National Insurance, so you can see what a payment would add.
What the Forecast Shows
| Information | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Weekly forecast | Amount you’ll receive per week |
| Annual equivalent | Yearly pension amount |
| State pension age | When you can claim |
| NI record | Years that count |
| Gaps | Years missing contributions |
Understanding Your Forecast
A Sample Forecast
The example below is illustrative — your own forecast will depend entirely on your personal NI record.
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Current forecast | £198.50/week |
| Full state pension (2026/27) | £241.30/week |
| Qualifying years so far | 30 years |
| Years needed for full | 35 years |
| Years until SPA | 8 years |
This means: If you continue working and paying NI, you should reach the full amount.
Forecast Scenarios
The scenarios below are illustrative examples of how a forecast might look with different qualifying-year totals — not a general formula, since real forecasts also reflect any contracted-out deduction and pre-2016 entitlement.
| Your Record | Forecast (new-system record only, no contracting out) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| 35+ years | Full £241.30/week | Maximum achieved |
| 30 years (5 to SPA) | £206.83/week now | Full if you add a year for each of the 5 |
| 25 years (2 to SPA) | £172.36/week now | Won’t reach full (27 years at most) |
| 15 years (10 to SPA) | £103.41/week now | Won’t reach full (25 years at most) without filling gaps |
| 10 years (0 to SPA) | £68.94/week | Minimum amount |
Your National Insurance Record
What Counts as a Qualifying Year
| Situation | How It Qualifies |
|---|---|
| Employed, earning £129+/week (2026/27 Lower Earnings Limit) | Automatic through payroll |
| Self-employed, profits at/above £7,105/year (2026/27 Small Profits Threshold) | Class 2 treated as paid: no payment needed |
| Self-employed, profits below £7,105/year | Pay voluntary Class 2 NI to get the year |
| Claiming benefits | NI credits (JSA, ESA, etc.) |
| Caring for children | Child Benefit NI credit |
| Caring for adults | Carer’s Credit |
| Grandparent childcare | Specified Adult Childcare Credit |
Common Reasons for Gaps
| Reason | How to Fix |
|---|---|
| Low earnings (below the Lower Earnings Limit) | Check for NI credits; otherwise pay voluntary Class 3 |
| Unemployment (not claiming benefits) | Pay voluntary Class 3 for years within the last 6 tax years |
| Time abroad | May have contributed there |
| Self-employed, profits below the Small Profits Threshold (not paying voluntary Class 2) | May be able to pay voluntary Class 2 NI to fill the gap |
| Contracted out | May reduce new state pension |
| Maternity without Child Benefit claim | Claim NI credits |
Checking Your NI Record
What to Look For
Viewing your record: Your NI record shows each tax year with one of these labels:
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Full year | Counts towards state pension |
| Year is not full | Missing contributions |
| No record | No contributions made |
| You were contracted out | Reduced NI rate paid |
What “Not Full” Means
| Scenario | Typical Cause |
|---|---|
| Some contributions but not 52 weeks | Part-year employment |
| Below earnings threshold | Low-paid work |
| Missing credits | Didn’t claim benefits |
| Self-employment unpaid | Profits below the Small Profits Threshold and didn’t pay voluntary Class 2 |
Gaps in Your Record
How Gaps Affect Your Pension
| Qualifying Years | Weekly State Pension (2026/27) | % of Full |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | £241.30 | 100% |
| 32 | £220.62 | 91% |
| 30 | £206.83 | 86% |
| 25 | £172.36 | 71% |
| 20 | £137.89 | 57% |
| 15 | £103.41 | 43% |
| 10 | £68.94 | 29% |
| Under 10 | £0 | 0% |
Filling Gaps with Voluntary Contributions
| Class | Cost (2026/27) | Who Can Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | £18.40/week (£956.80/year) | Most people |
| Class 2 | £3.65/week (£189.80/year) | Self-employed with profits below the Small Profits Threshold (£7,105) |
Is It Worth Buying Years?
Quick calculation:
| Factor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cost of 1 year (Class 3, 2026/27) | £956.80 |
| Extra pension per year | ~£358.50 |
| Break-even | ~2.7 years of receiving pension |
| 20 years of retirement | Return of ~£7,170 |
Usually excellent value — but get a state pension forecast first to confirm the benefit.
How to Buy Missing Years
Step 1: Get a forecast and identify gaps
Step 2: Check which years can be bought
| Tax Year | Normal Deadline | Extended Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 2006/07 to 2018/19 | 5 April 2025 (extended window, now closed) | Closed |
| 2019/20 | 5 April 2026 | Closed |
| 2020/21 | April 2027 | — |
| 2021/22 | April 2028 | — |
| 2022/23 | April 2029 | — |
Step 3: Contact Future Pension Centre
- Phone: 0800 731 0175
- Ask for a statement of how much each year costs
- Ask how each year would affect your forecast
Step 4: Pay by phone, online, or bank transfer
NI Credits You Might Be Missing
Automatic Credits (Should Be Applied)
| Credit | Situation |
|---|---|
| Child Benefit | Claiming for child under 12 |
| Jobseeker’s Allowance | Claiming JSA |
| Employment Support Allowance | Claiming ESA |
| Universal Credit | Claiming UC |
| Carer’s Allowance | Claiming CA |
Credits You Must Claim
| Credit | Situation | How to Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Grandparent Childcare Credit | Caring for grandchildren while parent works | Form CA9176 |
| Carer’s Credit | Caring 20+ hours but not receiving CA | The Carer’s Credit claim form (with a care certificate) |
| Jury service | On jury service and not self-employed | Write to HMRC to apply (not automatic) |
| Approved training | Government-approved course of up to 1 year, aged over 18 | Automatic if Jobcentre Plus sent you; otherwise write to HMRC |
Example: Grandparent Credit
If you’re a grandparent caring for grandchildren while the parent works, and the parent claims Child Benefit:
- Parent doesn’t need the credit (has enough NI from work)
- Parent transfers credit to you (Form CA9176)
- You get a qualifying year
- Your state pension increases
Contracted Out Pensions
What “Contracted Out” Means
| Situation | Effect |
|---|---|
| Pre-2016 employment | Employer pension instead of SERPS/S2P |
| Reduced NI paid | Lower contributions |
| Built up private pension | Instead of additional state pension |
| Impact on new state pension | Starting amount may be reduced |
Your “Starting Amount”
If you have years contracted out before 2016:
| Calculation | Result |
|---|---|
| Old rules calculation | What you’d get under old system |
| New rules calculation | What you’d get under new system |
| Your starting amount | Higher of the two |
| Minus contracted-out deduction | If applicable |
| Your foundation amount | What you start with |
Example (illustrative, 2026/27 rates)
| Element | Amount |
|---|---|
| Full state pension | £241.30/week |
| Contracted-out deduction | -£35.00/week |
| Starting amount | £206.30/week |
| Years to SPA | 5 years |
| Each year adds (1/35) | £6.89/week |
| Final forecast | £240.77/week |
If Your Forecast Is Wrong
Common Errors
| Problem | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Missing years | Did you work? Check with employer |
| Wrong employer info | P60s, payslips |
| Credits not applied | Child Benefit records, benefit claims |
| Overseas contributions | Contact DWP |
How to Correct Errors
Step 1: Gather evidence
- P60s
- Payslips
- Benefit letters
- Child Benefit records
Step 2: Contact HMRC
- Phone: 0300 200 3500
- Write with evidence
Step 3: Follow up
- Check record again after 6 weeks
- Escalate if not corrected
Maximizing Your State Pension
Action Plan by Age Group
Under 50:
| Action | Priority |
|---|---|
| Register for forecast | Check baseline |
| Claim all NI credits | Don’t miss free years |
| Fill recent gaps | Still within deadline |
50-60:
| Action | Priority |
|---|---|
| Full forecast review | Plan final working years |
| Buy any valuable missing years | Before deadline expires |
| Calculate if you’ll reach 35 years | Know target |
60+:
| Action | Priority |
|---|---|
| Confirm forecast accuracy | Prepare for claiming |
| Final gap filling | Last opportunity |
| Claim decision | Start claim vs defer |
Forecast vs Reality
What Can Change
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Government policy | Pension rules could change |
| Your employment | Could gain or lose years |
| Triple lock | Affects future amounts |
| Inflation | Affects real value |
Planning with Uncertainty
| Approach | How |
|---|---|
| Check annually | Review forecast each year |
| Don’t rely solely on state pension | Build private savings |
| Assume conservative growth | Don’t over-estimate |
| Consider worst case | Plan for lower amount |