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Four ways to increase your new State Pension

Updated 23 June 2016

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We published this information to help explain the introduction of the new State Pension from 6 April 2016.

The new State Pension won’t be the same amount for everyone. What you can claim will usually be based on your National Insurance (NI) record when you reach State Pension age. This means that you may be able to increase the amount of State Pension you get by:

  • adding to your National Insurance record before reaching State Pension age
  • opting to defer your State Pension

Get a State Pension statement

Go to www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

New State Pension

Find out more at www.gov.uk/yourstatepension

Here are 4 ways you can increase your new State Pension:

1. Keep paying National Insurance

You can keep working and paying National Insurance contributions until you reach State Pension age.

Find out when you reach State Pension age

2. Apply for National Insurance credits

Credits can fill gaps in your National Insurance record. They may increase the amount of new State Pension you get when you reach State Pension age.

See if you are eligible for National Insurance credits

3. Pay voluntary National Insurance contributions

You may be able to fill gaps in your National Insurance record by paying voluntary contributions.

Find out how to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions

4. Defer your State Pension

If you choose to delay claiming your new State Pension when you reach State Pension age, you may build up extra State Pension.

Find out how to defer your State Pension