How to Top Up your State Pension
by The Pensions Advisory Service
What is the new state pension?
In April 2016 a new form of state pension will be introduced - a single payment, simplifying the current system. Your state pension will be calculated entirely under the new state pension rules.
You'll usually need at least 10 qualifying years on your national insurance record to get any state pension.
You'll need 35 qualifying years to get the full new state pension.
You'll get a proportion of the new state pension if you have between 10 and 35 qualifying years.
Working after the state pension age
You don't have to stop working when you reach State Pension age but you'll no longer have to pay national Insurance. You can also request flexible working arrangements.
How much you can get?
The full new state pension will be no less than £151.25 per week. The actual amount will be set in Autumn 2015.
Why the new flat-rate pension is being introduced
The existing system is complex, has high levels of means-testing and produces inequality - for example, women tend to have lower State Pensions than men. The Government wants to address these issues and the aim is to introduce a simpler, fairer system where people have a clearer idea about what the state will provide, making it easier to plan their retirement savings.
How to check your national insurance record
You can ask for a national insurance statement online to check if you have gaps in your National Insurance record. You'll need to say which years you want your statement to cover.
www.online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/NIStatement