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First, let's establish the numbers.
2026/27 State Pension Rates:
New State Pension (for those reaching pension age from 6 April 2016 onwards): - Full rate: £241.30/week - £12,547/year (up from £230.25 in 2025/26) - You need 35 qualifying years to get the full rate - With 30 years: roughly £208/week - £10,800/year - With 25 years: roughly £173/week - £8,980/year
Basic State Pension (for those who reached pension age before 6 April 2016): - Full rate: £184.90/week - £9,614/year - Lower rate, but still substantial
Why this matters: If you have 35 years and live to 80 (a 13-year retirement from 67), your state pension pays £163,111. If you die at 90 (23 years), it pays £288,581. This is real money-and it all depends on your National Insurance record being complete.
Important: These figures assume you reach 67 (or your state pension age). From May 2026, state pension age rises from 66 to 67 for most people, gradually reaching 68 by 2032.
Getting your forecast takes 10 minutes. Here's how:
Step 1: Visit the government website. Go to gov.uk/check-state-pension (works best on a UK-issued device or via UK IP address, but expats can usually access it).
Step 2: Log in or create an account. You'll need a Government Gateway account or NHS login. Create one if you don't have it. This takes 5 minutes.
Step 3: Request your forecast. Click "Check your state pension" and follow the prompts. You'll need: - Your National Insurance number (on your payslips, tax return, or HMRC letters) - Your date of birth - Your postcode (can be current, UK, or old)
Step 4: Review your forecast. You'll receive a detailed forecast showing: - Your projected state pension amount at your state pension age - The number of qualifying years on your record - Gaps in your record and which years have gaps - Whether you're entitled to Additional State Pension (Serps/State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme-added to some records from the 1970s-2002)
What you're looking for:
Qualifying years: You need 35 qualifying years for the full new state pension (£241.30/week). If you have fewer, each missing year costs roughly £241.30 / 35 - £6.90/week or £359/year. This compounds: 5 missing years = £1,795/year in lost state pension income-£35,900 over 20 years.
Gaps: The forecast shows which years you haven't got qualifying years. Common gap years: - University (if you didn't work/pay NI) - Self-employment years where you didn't pay Class 2 - Years abroad without voluntary NI contributions - Years of unemployment without credits - Years of caring (child/adult care) without credits
Voluntary contribution opportunities: Some gaps can be filled with voluntary contributions (Class 2 or Class 3).
Example forecast (fictional):
Age 60, state pension age 68. Current qualifying years: 32. Forecast at 68: £218/week (32 years / 35 years × £241.30 - £221/week, approximately).
Gaps: Age 22-24 (university), age 45 (self-employed, didn't pay). Two gaps = £12-15/week in lost income.
Action: Pay voluntary contributions for ages 22-24 and 45. Cost: roughly 3 years × £3.65/week (Class 2) = £569. Gain: £12-15/week lifetime = £600-£780/year for life = £12,000-£15,600 by age 80. Return: 20-25x on investment.
This is why checking your forecast and plugging gaps is urgent-the ROI is enormous.
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Qualifying years are earned through National Insurance contributions. Understanding the types is critical—especially with the April 2026 changes.
Class 1 Contributions (Employed):
If you worked as an employee and paid NI from your payslip, you've been paying Class 1 since age 22 (assuming you earned over the threshold). Most years of employment count as qualifying years—you don't need to "do" anything.
Threshold for 2025/26: £12,570/year. Earn above this, and it counts.
Class 2 Contributions (Self-Employed):
If you were self-employed, you could pay Class 2 (~£3.65/week for 2026/27, or £189.80/year). This is cheap and counts as a qualifying year if you earned over £6,725 (the Small Profits Threshold). Many self-employed pay it; others don't realize they should.
CRITICAL CHANGE FROM APRIL 2026: Class 2 contributions for expats (people living abroad) end from 6 April 2026. This is permanent-no more cheap Class 2 for people abroad.
If you're a current Class 2 payer abroad, you have until April 2027 to switch to Class 3 without meeting new eligibility requirements (legacy exemption). After April 2027, you'd need to meet the new 10-year requirement.
Class 3 Contributions (Voluntary):
Anyone can pay Class 3 contributions to fill gaps: £18.40/week for 2026/27, or £956.80/year (for a full year). This counts as a qualifying year.
New rules from April 2026: New applicants for Class 3 must have lived in the UK for at least 10 continuous years or built at least 10 qualifying years on their record. This eliminates the option for people who left the UK young and want to catch up.
Comparison (2026/27): - Class 2: £3.65/week (only for self-employed UK residents, or expats with legacy exemption) - Class 3: £18.40/week - Class 2 is 5x cheaper than Class 3-but it's ending for expats soon.
Credits**:** Some periods (unemployment, sickness, caring for a child/adult) qualify as "credits" and count as qualifying years for free. If you were unemployed, check whether your record shows credits for those years. If not, HMRC can usually apply them retroactively (up to 6 years back).
If you're an expat with gaps in your state pension record, April 2026 is your last window to use Class 2 contributions—the cheapest option.
The numbers:
Suppose you have 3 gap years (e.g., ages 25-27, when you lived abroad). Filling them:
With Class 2 (available until April 2026): 3 years × £189.80 - £569. You're buying £12-15/week in state pension income - £600-£780/year for life.
With Class 3 (from April 2026 onwards): 3 years × £956.80 - £2,870. You're buying the same £12-15/week = £600-£780/year for life.
Using Class 2 vs. Class 3, you save £2,301. This is a one-time saving-once April 2026 hits, the cheaper option is gone.
Who this affects:
Currently paying Class 2 abroad**:** You have until April 2027 to switch to Class 3 without the new 10-year requirement. After April 2027, you'd need 10 years of UK residency/contribution history to apply-eliminating the option for many.
Never paid Class 2**:** If you have gaps and want to fill them cheaply, you must act before April 2026. After that, Class 3 only.
UK resident but left the UK young**:** If you left the UK at 22 and now want to fill gaps from ages 22-30 abroad, you can't. The new 10-year requirement eliminates this option. But you might be able to claim credits or other relief-check with HMRC.
Action**:** If you have gaps and are an expat, get a Class 2 quote immediately. Call HMRC (or the International Pension Centre for expats: +44 191 218 7777) and ask for a Class 2 application form before April 2026.
Once you've identified gaps in your forecast, here's how to fill them:
Step 1: Decide which years to fill.
You don't need to fill all gaps-prioritize:
Example: You have 31 qualifying years and 4 gap years (ages 45-48). Filling these 4 years brings you to 35 (full rate). Each costs roughly £190-£960 depending on Class 2 vs. 3. The gain is £241.30/week for life (your additional 4 years). At a life expectancy of 20 years past 67, that's £250,000+ in additional income. Even at £960/year × 4 = £3,840, the ROI is enormous.
Step 2: Determine if you're eligible for credits (free qualifying years).
Some gap years might automatically count if you qualify for credits:
Unemployment: If you were unemployed and received benefits, contact HMRC-credits were applied automatically in most cases.
Sickness/incapacity: Similar-benefits usually came with credits.
Parenting: A child-related reduction in contributions (CRTC) applied from 1978-2010 if you were caring for a child. This might fill some gaps.
Caring responsibility: If you've cared for a child or adult, certain years might count.
Call HMRC (see details below) and ask whether any gap years qualify for credits. This is free and can eliminate the need to pay contributions.
Step 3: Get a Class 2 or 3 quote.
For expats, call the International Pension Centre: - Phone**:** +44 191 218 7777 (from outside the UK; calling lines: Mon-Fri, 08:00-17:00 UK time) - Letter**:** International Pension Centre, Tyneview Park, Whitley Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE47 5TP, United Kingdom
Tell them: - Your National Insurance number - The gap years you want to fill - That you're an expat and want to know the cost of Class 2 (before April 2026) or Class 3 (after)
They'll quote the cost and provide an application form.
Step 4: Apply and pay.
Once you have the quote, apply for the voluntary contributions. You can pay up to 6 years back (with some exceptions for longer periods, but 6 years is standard). Payment terms:
Lump sum: Pay the full amount upfront (preferred). Provides immediate proof you've filled the gap.
Monthly: Some schemes allow monthly payments. Slower but spreads the cost.
Step 5: Confirm the contribution was recorded.
Once paid, HMRC processes it (usually 3-6 months). They'll send a letter confirming the contribution has been added to your record. Keep this for your records.
Step 6: Update your forecast.
Once contributions are recorded, request an updated forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension. You'll see your new qualifying years and updated state pension forecast. Confirm the gaps are filled.
Example 1: David, age 56, expat in Spain, 31 qualifying years, 4 gap years**.**
David left the UK at 22, worked abroad without paying voluntary NI. He has gaps at ages 45-48 (4 years abroad). His current forecast: £204/week (31/35 × £241.30).
Action**:** Fill the 4 gaps to reach 35 qualifying years. Cost: 4 × £189.80 (Class 2) = £759 before April 2026. Gain: (35-31) × £6.90/week = £27.60/week additional income = £1,435/year for life. ROI: 1,435/759 = 1.9x over one year; 19x over 10 years. Worth doing immediately.
Example 2: Sarah, age 62, expat in Portugal, 29 qualifying years, 6 gap years.
Sarah worked self-employed but never paid Class 2. She has 6 gap years from self-employment (ages 35-40). Her current forecast: £170/week (29/35 × £241.30).
Action**:** She's below 30 qualifying years. Each gap year is worth roughly 7% of her full pension. Filling to 35 is a priority. Cost: 6 × £189.80 (Class 2) = £1,138 before April 2026. Gain: 6 × £6.90/week = £41.40/week = £2,153/year for life. ROI: 2,153 / 1,138 = 1.9x over one year; massive over a long retirement. Worth doing immediately before April 2026.
Example 3: James, age 58, UK resident (not an expat), 28 qualifying years, 7 gap years.
James worked as a company director but had some gap years. He's below 30 qualifying years. He can apply for Class 2 or 3 contributions.
Action**:** Since he's UK resident (not moving abroad), Class 2 is still available indefinitely. He could pay immediately or wait until later (Class 2 is always available to UK residents). If he waits until after April 2026 and becomes an expat, Class 2 ends for him-so acting now locks in the cheap option. Cost: 7 × £189.80 = £1,328.60. Gain: 7 × £6.90/week = £48.30/week = £2,511/year for life. ROI: massive. Worth doing now.
Example 4: Emma, age 66, expat in France, 32 qualifying years, 3 gap years, state pension age 67 (next year).
Emma reaches state pension age in 12 months. She has 3 gap years. Her current forecast: £211/week (32/35 × £241.30).
Action**:** She's close to state pension age. Filling 3 gaps to reach 35 is worth doing if time permits. Cost: 3 × £189.80 (Class 2) = £569 before April 2026. Gain: 3 × £6.90/week = £20.70/week = £1,076/year for life (potentially 20+ years). ROI: 1,076 / 569 = 1.9x. Worth doing urgently before April 2026. She should contact the International Pension Centre immediately and express urgency-she's only 12 months from pension age.
Example 5: Michael, age 45, expat in Australia, 25 qualifying years, 10 gap years.
Michael left the UK at 25, worked abroad without voluntary NI. He has 10 gap years. His current forecast: £172/week (25/35 × £241.30). Australia freezes UK pensions (no uprating).
Action**:** Filling all 10 gaps would bring him to 35 qualifying years. Cost: 10 × £189.80 (Class 2) = £1,898 before April 2026. Gain: 10 × £6.90/week = £69/week = £3,588/year for life. Australia freezes this, so no inflation protection, but still £3,588/year is substantial. ROI: 3,588 / 1,898 = 1.9x over one year; 19x over 10 years. Filling to 35 is worthwhile despite the frozen-pension disadvantage in Australia.
All of these examples show: filling gaps is almost always worthwhile, especially at Class 2 rates (before April 2026). The ROI is typically 20-100x over a 20-30 year retirement.
Once you reach state pension age (67 for most people, rising to 68 by 2032), you can claim your state pension. But you don't have to-you can defer it and get a higher rate later.
The numbers (2026/27):
Deferring 1 year: Your annual payment increases by ~5.8% (roughly £241 × 5.8% / 52 weeks = £0.27/week additional).
Deferring 3 years (to age 70): Your annual payment increases by ~17.4% (roughly £241 × 1.174 = £283/week).
Deferring 5 years (to age 72): Your annual payment increases by ~29% (roughly £241 × 1.29 = £311/week).
Example:
You have 35 qualifying years. At age 67, your state pension is £241.30/week = £12,547/year.
If you defer to age 70, it's £283/week = £14,716/year-a gain of £2,169/year.
Over 20 years (age 70-90), that extra £2,169/year = £43,380. Even if you only live to 85 (age 70-85), that's £32,535. The trade-off: you don't get any state pension from 67-70 (3 years of lost income = £37,641). Breakeven is at age 80 (3 years of deferred payments + 13 years of higher payments).
For expats, deferral is particularly attractive if: - You have other income (private pension, savings, spouse's income) covering living costs from 67-70. - You're confident you'll live into your 80s+ (life expectancy is long for educated, wealthy people). - You live in a country that uprates pensions (EU countries do; Australia, Canada, NZ freeze them-so deferral is less valuable there).
Action**:** If you reach 67 and don't need state pension income immediately, defer. You'll likely gain significantly over your lifetime.
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A critical factor most expats overlook: does your destination country uprate your UK state pension?
Uprating countries (your pension rises with UK inflation/wages):
EU countries, EEA countries, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and many others have reciprocal agreements with the UK. Your state pension rises annually in line with UK inflation (CPI) or wages.
Countries included: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, etc.
Frozen pension countries (your pension is frozen at the rate you start receiving it):
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Mauritius, and many Commonwealth countries. Your state pension is frozen-it never rises, even as inflation rises in the UK and your destination country.
Impact**:** Frozen pensions lose serious purchasing power over time. A frozen £12,547/year pension in 2026 becomes worth roughly: - £12,000 (real terms) by 2036 (2% inflation/year) - £11,500 by 2046 - £10,900 by 2056
Over 30 years of frozen pension, you lose 20-30% of purchasing power. This is why retirement location planning matters.
Action before retiring**:** Check whether your destination country uprates or freezes pensions. If it freezes, you might want to defer your state pension (to get a higher amount when you claim) or plan to supplement it with private pensions / drawdown to offset inflation losses.
Uprating by country (verify before retiring):
EU/EEA: Uprate. Switzerland/Liechtenstein/Norway/Iceland: Uprate. Australia/Canada/NZ/South Africa: Frozen. USA: Some uprating under specific conditions. Middle East (Dubai, etc.): Varies. Check the UK government's list (search "UK state pension uprating countries") before you retire.
Gap: University years (ages 18-22).
If you didn't work during university, you didn't pay Class 1 NI. But you might have home responsibilities protection (HRP) or credits. Contact HMRC-these are often applied automatically. If not, you can fill with Class 2 or 3 (if eligible).
Gap: Self-employed years without Class 2.
Many self-employed people don't pay Class 2 because they didn't realize they should (or thought they were exempt). You can usually pay Class 2 retroactively (back 6 years) to fill these gaps. Contact the International Pension Centre for expats or HMRC for UK residents.
Gap: Years abroad without voluntary contributions.
If you worked abroad and didn't pay Class 2 or Class 3, these years are gaps. Expats can fill these with Class 2 (before April 2026) or Class 3 (after). This is especially common for people who left the UK young.
Gap: Caring years.
If you've cared for a child or adult, you might be entitled to credits ("caring responsibility" credits). Some caring years automatically count; others require application. Check your forecast and contact HMRC if gaps align with caring periods.
Gap: Low-income years / employment below the threshold.
If you earned less than £12,570/year (2025/26 threshold), you might not have a qualifying year. You can voluntarily pay Class 2 or 3 to fill these. But first, check whether you're entitled to credits-some years might already qualify without paying.
Gap: Years you left on your record by accident ("deleted years").
Occasionally, years are wrongly removed from records due to errors. If you notice a gap that shouldn't be there (you worked and paid NI), contact HMRC and ask them to investigate. Corrections are free.
This entire process takes 2-3 hours over several months. The ROI-potential £2,000-£4,000/year in additional lifetime income-makes it essential.
Kieran Tween is a Private Wealth Manager at Skybound Wealth Management, specialising in helping internationally mobile professionals bring clarity and structure to finances built across multiple countries, currencies, and stages of life.
Clients typically come to Kieran when their finances feel spread across too many places, accounts, and decisions, and they want a clear plan that still works as life changes.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Retirement planning, tax residency, pension access, and healthcare arrangements are complex and depend on your individual circumstances, destination country, age, and other income. Always consult with a qualified financial adviser, tax specialist, and legal counsel before making retirement decisions. Skybound Wealth and its advisers cannot be held liable for decisions made based on this content.
If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, acting before April 2026 could help you access lower-cost contribution options. Review your forecast now and understand whether filling gaps could increase your future retirement income.
Your UK State Pension can provide valuable lifelong income-but only if your record is complete. Take control of your retirement planning by reviewing your entitlement and creating a strategy for your future abroad.
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