Millions of people may not receive the full £221.20 a week State Pension due to gaps in their National Insurance record. Older mothers, part-time carers and workers who were contracted out before 2016 are among those most likely to be affected – here’s how to check your entitlement.

09:56, 16 Feb 2026Updated 18:16, 16 Feb 2026

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Millions of workers could be missing out on the full State Pension without even realising it – and three groups are most at risk. A former Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) employee has warned that gaps in National Insurance records, historic childcare rules and old ‘contracted out’ pension schemes mean some people may fall short of the full £221.20 a week.

Sandra Wrench worked at the DWP for 42 years and says the issue affects older women who stayed at home before the late 1970s, carers working part-time, and workers who built up pension rights through workplace schemes before the system changed in 2016.

It comes amid ongoing debate over whether pensioners should start paying National Insurance again – despite current rules meaning you cannot build up extra State Pension once you reach State Pension age. Below is what you need to know, who could be affected, and how to check if your record is complete.

READ MORE: State Pension payments from April – check your new weekly rate nowREAD MORE: DWP given new powers to check bank accounts and take money directly from claimantsHow much is the State Pension worth?

The full New State Pension is currently worth £221.20 a week – just over £11,500 a year. It will rise to £241.30 a week from April 6, taking it to around £12,500 a year.

Those on the older Basic State Pension currently receive £176.45 per week, rising to £184.90 in April.

However, not everyone gets the full amount. Your payment depends on your National Insurance (NI) record.

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 InsuranceYou 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 Pension1. 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 creditsCarer’s CreditOr 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.

State Pension Rates 2026/27

Full New State Pension

Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)Four-weekly pay period: £965.20Annual amount: £12,547

Full Basic State Pension

Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)Four-weekly pay period: £739.60Annual amount: £9,614

Other State Pension rates

Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)

The new payment rates will start on April 6.

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.

You’ll be able to see:

How many qualifying years you currently haveHow many more you may need for the full amountWhether you have any gaps in your recordWhether 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 benefitsOff work due to illnessReceiving Child BenefitCaring 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.

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