Can I Look at My State Pension Online?

Want to check your State Pension online? Learn how to access your forecast, see your National Insurance record, and find out what you’ll receive in retirement.

If you’re wondering whether you can check your State Pension online, the answer is yes—and it’s easier than ever. The UK government provides a State Pension forecast tool that allows you to see how much you’re on track to receive, when you’ll be eligible, and whether you need to top up your National Insurance contributions.

Checking your pension forecast can help you plan for retirement, understand if you’re missing any contributions, and ensure you’re making the most of your entitlements. Here’s everything you need to know about how to check your State Pension online, what information you’ll find, and what to do if something doesn’t look right.

How to Check Your State Pension Online

The quickest and easiest way to check your State Pension forecast is through the official UK government website. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to the GOV.UK website – Visit the State Pension forecast page:

    • Check Your State Pension Forecast

  2. Sign in with your Government Gateway account – You’ll need to log in using your Government Gateway ID and password. If you don’t have one, you can register online.

  3. View your State Pension forecast – Once logged in, you’ll see details of:

    • The amount you’re currently set to receive at State Pension age.

    • Your State Pension age based on current government rules.

    • Your National Insurance (NI) record and whether you have any gaps.

    • Ways to increase your pension if you haven’t yet reached the full entitlement.

If you don’t want to check online, you can also request a paper forecast by post using a BR19 form, but the online method is much quicker.

What Information Will You See?

When you check your State Pension forecast, you’ll find three key pieces of information:

  1. How Much You’ll Get

    • If you’ve paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions, you’ll see the full new State Pension amount, which is £203.85 per week as of 2024.

    • If you’ve not yet reached the full amount, your forecast will tell you how much more you can expect to build up.

  2. Your State Pension Age

    • The forecast will confirm when you can start claiming your State Pension.

    • The current State Pension age is 66, but it is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and later to 68 in the future.

  3. Your National Insurance Record

    • Your forecast will show how many years of NI contributions you have.

    • You need at least 10 years to get any State Pension and 35 years to receive the full amount.

    • If you have gaps, it will show whether you can voluntarily pay extra to boost your pension.

What If Your State Pension Forecast Is Lower Than Expected?

If your forecast is less than the full amount, it may be because you:

  • Haven’t worked enough years to reach the 35-year requirement.

  • Were contracted out of the Additional State Pension at some point, meaning you paid lower National Insurance contributions and relied on a workplace pension instead.

  • Have gaps in your NI record due to time spent not working or not paying NI (for example, self-employment without contributions).

How to Increase Your State Pension

If your forecast is lower than expected, you can take action to improve it before you reach pension age:

  • Work longer and continue paying National Insurance to build up more qualifying years.

  • Check if you can pay voluntary NI contributions to fill any missing years.

  • Claim National Insurance credits if you were unemployed, on benefits, or a carer for a period.

Check Your National Insurance Record

Common Questions About Checking Your State Pension Online

Do I Need to Have Retired to Check My Pension Forecast?

No, you can check your State Pension forecast at any time, even if you’re years away from retirement. In fact, the earlier you check, the more time you have to increase your contributions if needed.

Is My State Pension Forecast Guaranteed?

Your forecast is based on current government rules. However, these rules may change in the future, especially as the pension age is under review. It’s always good to check periodically to stay updated on any changes.

Can I Get a Pension Forecast If I’ve Already Reached Pension Age?

If you’ve already reached your State Pension age, you won’t need a forecast—you can check your pension payments instead via your online personal tax account on GOV.UK.

What If I Can’t Access My Pension Forecast Online?

If you have trouble using the online service, you can:

  • Apply for a paper forecast by filling out a BR19 form and posting it to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

  • Call the Future Pension Centre to request a forecast by phone.

More details on how to apply via post can be found here:
Get a State Pension Forecast by Post

Final Thoughts: Checking Your State Pension Online

If you want to see how much State Pension you’ll receive and when you can claim it, the online forecast tool is the easiest way to get the information you need. It gives you a clear picture of your entitlement, your National Insurance record, and whether you need to take action to boost your pension.

By checking your forecast regularly, you can plan ahead for retirement, avoid surprises, and make sure you’re on track for the maximum State Pension available to you.

If you haven’t checked yours yet, head over to GOV.UK and take a look—it only takes a few minutes but could make a big difference to your retirement planning.