A free practical tool

State Pension checks, in order.

Organise your questions about State Pension forecasts and National Insurance records. Use official services for your own position; nothing here calculates or verifies entitlement.

Which situation fits?

Choose a route and tick reminders you have checked. Do not enter names, dates of birth, National Insurance numbers, amounts, credentials or documents. Your selection and ticks last only while this page stays open; reloading clears them.

0 of 7 reminders markedTicks record your own progress; they are not government confirmation.

Situation: I’m not sure which route applies

Keep the records clearUse an official sign-in routeOpen GOV.UK guidance first. Government credentials and identity checks belong in the government service, never in this checklist.Keep State Pension figures separateKeep State Pension income information apart from invested pots and scheme income. This checklist does not add different kinds of figures together.Read the National Insurance record guidanceThe official record can show contributions, credits and gaps. Use it for National Insurance questions and keep private pension tracing separate.

Choose the appropriate routeRead which service fits my situationThe forecast service excludes people already receiving State Pension or who have deferred claiming. Read its official conditions before starting.Prepare a question for official helpKeep any notes privately. Use the government guidance to find the appropriate contact if you cannot tell which route applies.

Investigate questions before actingCheck whether gaps need a credit or error queryGovernment guidance says to check eligibility for National Insurance credits before deciding to pay. It also directs record errors to HMRC.Read why paying might not increase entitlementVoluntary contributions do not always increase State Pension. Use official individual-checking routes before making any payment decision; this checklist gives no cost or buying recommendation.

Official services, separate purposes

The forecast service and National Insurance record have different purposes. One describes potential State Pension information; the other records contributions, credits and gaps. Neither is an All Pensions search for old private pension providers.

If you already receive State Pension or have deferred claiming, the forecast guidance points to government contacts instead of its online forecast service. If you cannot use online services, read the official pages for alternative routes. The options and conditions are maintained by government.

A gap is a question, not a payment instruction

Government guidance says voluntary contributions do not always increase State Pension. Check possible credits and record errors, and use the official route for your own circumstances before deciding whether to pay. We do not calculate qualifying years, costs, deadlines, pension rates or retirement ages.

Marking all reminders does not establish eligibility, accuracy, a successful claim or a reason to pay. A downloaded checklist contains only your selected situation, ticks and general guidance. It is not a government forecast or National Insurance statement. No government account is connected; no sign-in details, pension data or files are requested.

Official guidance

Sources checked 2026-10-04. Next scheduled review: 2027-01-04. General information, not financial advice. No qualified financial review is claimed.

Keep your pension types distinct

Read the State Pension introduction →

Organise your pension paperwork →

Keep a separate private pension search checklist →