State pension: 3 ways to boost your sum through your NI record | Personal Finance | Finance
How much state pension someone can get is dependent on their National Insurance record when they reach state pension age. It is therefore imperative people build a strong enough record to get the full sum.
Britons usually need to have 10 qualifying years on their National Insurance record to get any new state pension at all.
They could need 35 qualifying years to get the new full state pension.
However, people should note they may get less than the new full state pension if they were contracted out before April 6, 2016.
To get the full basic state pension, 30 years are required.
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People who are employed and earning over £190 a week from one employer should automatically pay National Insurance and be able to earn qualifying years.
Self-employed people are responsible for making sure they pay National Insurance.
National Insurance credits
Those who are not working could still improve their National Insurance record through certain benefits.
Voluntary contributions
Someone might be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions as another method of improving their record.
This could help them get more state pension.
Britons can check their National Insurance record online to see where they stand and whether they need to take steps to improve their state pension entitlement.
