State pension warning: National Insurance record could cost you full sum | Personal Finance | Finance

How much state pension someone gets is dependent on their National Insurance record when they reach state pension age. An insufficient record could mean people getting a lesser amount than they hoped.

The full new state pension is currently worth £179.60 per week, adding up to £9,339.20 for a full 12 months.

The state pension increases every year by at least 2.5 percent under the terms of the triple lock policy, meaning future retirees could get a considerably higher amount.

However, not everyone will be able to get the full sum.

Britons usually need 10 qualifying years on their National Insurance record to get any new state pension whatsoever.

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People who are employed and earning over £184 a week from one employer should automatically pay National Insurance and can therefore earn a qualifying year.

Self-employed individuals who pay National Insurance contributions can also get qualifying years.

Those who are not working may also be able to build up their National Insurance record through benefits.

Some benefits have associated National Insurance credits which contribute towards earning qualifying years.

If someone cannot claim any of the above benefits but still wishes to increase their state pension amount, they may be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to improve their record.

Britons can check their National Insurance record online via the official Government website.

They can see if there are any gaps in their record which could deny them the full state pension, and explore options to fill these if necessary.

It is possible for people to have gaps in their record and still get the full state pension, providing they have enough qualifying years overall.