The amount of state pension one receives in retirement depends largely on how many “qualifying years” of National Insurance contributions they have. However, those that find their National Insurance record lacking may be able to make up for it using National Insurance credits.
One’s NI record generally consists of all the years they spent paying National Insurance through employment, whether that be traditional or self-employment.
But, a range of circumstances could mean that every year one was not paying National Insurance through their income could still count towards their qualifying years.
In order to receive the full new state pension, people need a minimum of 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions.
Those that have between 10 and 35 qualifying years will only receive a portion of their state pension income due in retirement.
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This is why claiming National Insurance credits where possible is so vital to ensure one receives every last penny they are entitled to in…
