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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

Pensions and retirement planning

Over 50s

What is in a State Pension forecast?

A State Pension forecast gives you more detailed information on the State Pension you may get when you reach State Pension age. It is based on your National Insurance (NI) contributions record. Find out more about what your forecast will give you.

What is in a State Pension forecast?

A State Pension forecast gives you an estimate of both your:

  • basic State Pension
  • additional State Pension (also called the State Second Pension and formerly known as the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS))

See ‘Understanding your State Pension forecast’ for important information about rule changes that may affect the additional State Pension.

What will a State Pension Forecast give you?

In particular, your forecast will give you:

  • the current number of your qualifying years (the number of years you have paid, been treated as having paid or been credited with, NI contributions) recorded on your NI contributions record
  • an estimate of the current value of your State Pension, based on the information currently held on your NI contributions record
  • an estimate of how much State Pension you may get at State Pension age, based on assumptions that have been made about further NI contributions you may make or be credited with between the time the forecast is issued and when you reach State Pension age
  • a forecast of how much you could get by putting off claiming your State Pension, if you have asked for it
  • information on how you may be able to improve your basic State Pension
  • the effect on your additional State Pension if you are contracted out, either through a company pension scheme or a personal pension
  • information on whether you can improve your State Pension by using your late or former spouse's or late or former civil partner's NI contributions record (if applicable)

See 'Getting a State Pension forecast' for more information on how to get a State Pension forecast.

Additional links

Do it online

Being enrolled into a workplace pension

Starting from October 2012, millions of workers will be enrolled into a workplace pension

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