State pension warning: Britons denied full sum based on National Insurance record | Personal Finance | Finance
The amount of new state pension someone gets is based on their National Insurance record. This could mean some people getting more than others in retirement.
To get the full new state pension, Britons could need 35 qualifying years on their National Insurance record.
They usually need at least 10 qualifying years to get any state pension at all.
Despite paying National Insurance contributions, people may find some of those payments did not count as qualifying years.
This could lead to a shock for those who assume they will get the full state pension, only to be disappointed.
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Alternatively, they can qualify by earning £520 a month or £6,240 a year.
These rules are slightly different for those who are self-employed.
Self-employed people must earn £125 a week, £542 a month or £6,515 per year to get a qualifying year.
People with a fluctuating income may be vulnerable to not earning qualifying years in some tax years.
Alternatively, people may be able to pay voluntary contributions in order to earn more qualifying years.
This could help them increase their state pension entitlement.
The full new state pension is currently worth £179.60 a week, or £9,339.20 for a full year.
This is set to rise from April 11, 2022, taking the full amount to £185.15.
