New State Pension for Pensioners Born After 1951 Eligibility and Key Details

For those retiring soon, the DWP is urging them to check their eligibility for State Pension.
A quick check of your NI record can help you avoid a surprise situation and ensure you receive the maximum value you can get.

Who is Eligible for New State Pension?

• The UK State Pension is segmented into two.
• They are divided into the new State Pension and the basic State Pension.

One’s eligibility varies according to his date of birth:

• Men born on or after April 6, 1951
• Women born on or after April 6, 1953

Those born prior to these dates receive the basic State Pension; those born thereafter qualify for the new State Pension.

Key features of the New State Pension

New Full State Pension: £203.85 per week (2023–2024 rates).
Minimum Qualifying Years: To receive some pension you must have at least 10 qualifying years on your NI record.

What Are Qualifying Years for the State Pension?

A qualifying year is any one year in which you count as having been either of the following:

Employed: You were employed and earned enough National Insurance contributions.
NI Credits: You earned credits because you were unemployed, ill, or a career.
Voluntary Contributions: You paid voluntary NI contributions to fill holes in your record.

If you are not eligible for the new State Pension under above conditions for at least 10 years, you will not be able to get that new state pension. However, 35 Qualifying years are required for the full pension.

How to Fill Gaps in Your NI Record

You can top up your State Pension by making voluntary NI contributions if there are gaps in your NI record. This is a good opportunity for people who:

• Spent time out of work to care for children or other dependents.
• Spent part of their working life abroad.
• Were self-employed with very low earnings.

The DWP advises checking your NI record as early as possible to spot gaps and take steps before you reach State Pension age.

How to Make Voluntary Contributions

Check Your NI Record: You can check out your contributions through the UK Government’s online tool, which may also help you find missing years.
Calculate the Cost: Determine how much it will cost to make voluntary contributions for the missing years.
Make Payments: Contact HMRC to arrange a payment for eligible gaps.

Benefits of Filling Gaps

• Makes sure you are eligible for the full State Pension.
• Increases your weekly pension income in retirement.

Why You Should Check Your State Pension Now?

Confirmation of State Pension entitlement and NI record at an early stage has many benefits:

• No Surprises: Ensure that you are eligible for the pension you anticipate.
• Act Now: Identify gaps in your record and make voluntary contributions before it is too late.
• Top Up Income: Top up your retirement income by ensuring that you qualify for the maximum amount.

The UK Government has a free online State Pension Forecast Tool, which helps to review your projected pension and NI record.

Reason	Action to Take
Time off work (e.g., caregiving)	Claim NI credits if eligible.
Living abroad	Check if voluntary contributions apply.
Low self-employment earnings	Make voluntary contributions

The DWP urges anyone near retirement age to check their State Pension eligibility and National Insurance record. This means taking action sooner, so you ensure you will get the maximum amount of State Pension. Fill gaps in your NI record to boost your pension income.

Avoid surprises when you retire. Use the UK Government’s online tools to check your State Pension forecast and make any necessary voluntary contributions. A little effort today can secure a more comfortable financial future in retirement.

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