Guides › Public Services › Check Your State Pension Forecast and National Insurance Gaps
Check Your State Pension Forecast and National Insurance Gaps
You can check how much State Pension you could get, when you can get it and how to increase it, online with GOV.UK One Login, in the HMRC app, or by post using form BR19 if you reach State Pension age in more than 30 days. If there are gaps in your National Insurance record, you may be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill them.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Your Forecast
What It Shows
How much State Pension you could get, when you can get it, and whether and how you could increase it, such as by paying to fill gaps. source
How to Check
Online with GOV.UK One Login (you may need photo ID), in the HMRC app, or by post using form BR19 or by phone through the Future Pension Centre if you reach State Pension age in more than 30 days. source
Gaps
You might be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps, for example when you were not working or claiming benefits. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 30 daysBefore State Pension ageFor postal or phone forecasts
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check your forecast online.
Step 2 of 5
Look at your National Insurance record for gaps.
Step 3 of 5
Check whether credits could fill gaps first.
Step 4 of 5
Get guidance before paying for gaps.
Step 5 of 5
Pay voluntary contributions through GOV.UK if worthwhile.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Personal Tax Account
Sign in on GOV.UK to check your tax code, income and letters.
Future Pension Centre
Forecasts by phone or post.
Pension Wise
Free, impartial pension guidance.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Check whether National Insurance credits already cover a gap before paying for it.
Scotland has its own Income Tax rates and bands. The rules on returns, penalties and HMRC complaints apply across the UK.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/check-state-pension Checked 15 October 2026