{"id":310969,"date":"2025-08-02T03:59:24","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T03:59:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/310969\/"},"modified":"2025-08-02T03:59:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T03:59:24","slug":"hmrc-warns-state-pension-claimants-they-could-miss-out-on-full-payment-amount","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/310969\/","title":{"rendered":"HMRC warns State Pension claimants they could miss out on full payment amount"},"content":{"rendered":"

HMRC has given an explanation on how a person may end up missing out on their ‘full’ State Pension amount\"AnA warning has been issued to pensioners over National Insurance contributions(Image: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

Some older people could miss out on their full State Pension payments, HMRC has warned. This could happen because of a person’s National Insurance record.<\/p>\n

If you do not pay National Insurance you may have gaps in your record, HMRC <\/a>explained via social media channel X, formerly Twitter. A taxpayer said: “I have checked my Government pension and I found out that I have a lower monthly pension.<\/p>\n

“It looks like I was paying a lower rate of income tax for six years as self-employed which was between permanent employment. I’m 63 and I have worked all my life, can I get full pension<\/a>?”<\/p>\n

HMRC replied: “You usually need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions to get the full amount. You’d need to check your NI history to view how many qualifying years you have.”<\/p>\n

The taxpayer <\/a>further asked: “I do have over 45 years contributions but six years I worked self-employed but paid less for those two years. Is there any way I can top those six years up?”<\/p>\n

HMRC said in response: “You’d need to contact the Future Pension Centre for an adviser to confirm. If they check your record and then confirm it’s worth your while to make a top-up for those years, we can then advise on the next steps.”<\/p>\n

You cannot pay voluntary contributions if you do not have gaps in your National Insurance record – unless you\u2019re getting Class 3 credits and are eligible to pay Class 2 contributions, are a married woman or widow paying reduced rate National Insurance or have passed the deadline for paying contributions for the period that has gaps, reports BirminghamLive<\/a>. Check your National Insurance record to find out if you have any gaps and how much it will cost to pay voluntary contributions.<\/p>\n

You can also check if you\u2019ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions or if you can pay online. If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, check if you\u2019re eligible for National Insurance credits before deciding to pay voluntary contributions.<\/p>\n

Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you think your National Insurance record is wrong. More details are available on the Government website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How much State Pension you get<\/p>\n

Your State Pension amount depends on your National Insurance record. Check your State Pension forecast<\/a> to find out how much you could get when you reach State Pension age. It also shows your National Insurance record.<\/p>\n

The full rate of new State Pension is \u00a3230.25 a week. Your amount could be different depending on:<\/p>\n