Almost 7 million UK adults may be heading towards retirement without knowing what State Pension they are currently on track to receive. New research published by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) says one in eight adults has never checked their State Pension forecast — a simple check that can reveal gaps in a National Insurance record and show when someone is expected to qualify.
The finding matters because leaving the check until retirement can mean discovering important information later than is ideal.
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What’s actually true about the State Pension
HMRC’s latest research found that 12.5% of UK adults had never checked their State Pension forecast, equivalent to approximately 6.9 million people. The research was based on a survey of 5,206 consumers carried out between February and March 2026.
The group most likely to have never checked was people aged 45 to 54 — an age when retirement may still feel distant, but when there can be time to address potential gaps.
A State Pension forecast is more than a prediction of how much money someone might receive. The official service shows an estimate of State Pension entitlement, State Pension age and whether there may be ways to increase the amount.
The figure is based largely on a person’s National Insurance record. Under the new State Pension rules, most people normally need at least 10 qualifying years to receive anything, while the amount received depends on their individual record and transitional rules where applicable.
Why not checking can become a retirement problem
One of the biggest risks is simply not knowing that a problem exists.
Someone may have gaps in their National Insurance record because of periods away from work, low earnings, self-employment, caring responsibilities or other circumstances. Some people may also have National Insurance credits that count towards their entitlement.
That is why assumptions can be misleading. Paying tax or working for many years does not automatically mean someone will receive the full State Pension.
The official National Insurance service allows people to see their contribution history, identify gaps and check whether voluntary contributions could improve their eventual State Pension.
HMRC’s research also found that people delay checking for several reasons. Some feel retirement is too far away, while others are concerned about career breaks or simply do not know how to access their forecast.
The related question: Can you increase your State Pension if you find a gap?
This is where checking early becomes particularly useful.
Finding a gap does not automatically mean someone needs to pay money to fill it. Some gaps may already be covered by National Insurance credits, and voluntary contributions do not always increase State Pension entitlement.
For eligible people, however, voluntary National Insurance contributions can sometimes be used to fill gaps. The government advises checking the forecast first to establish whether paying would actually improve the eventual pension.
That distinction is important. The sensible first step is to check, then decide — not simply buying extra National Insurance years because a gap appears on the record.
Common State Pension misconceptions
“The State Pension is automatically the full amount if I’ve worked all my life.”
Not necessarily. Your entitlement depends on your National Insurance record, and individual circumstances can affect the calculation.
“A gap means I’ve lost that money permanently.”
Not necessarily. Depending on the circumstances, further qualifying years or voluntary contributions may be possible.
“I don’t need to check until I’m close to retirement.”
Waiting is not ideal. Checking earlier gives you more time to understand your record and investigate possible options.
“My workplace pension and State Pension are the same thing.”
They are separate. A workplace or personal pension can provide additional retirement income alongside the State Pension.
What to do next
The simplest step is to check your State Pension forecast through the official GOV.UK service or the HMRC app. The forecast can show what you may receive, when you can claim and whether there are potential ways to increase your entitlement.
If you see gaps, don’t immediately pay to fill them. First check whether you could receive National Insurance credits, whether the gap affects your forecast and whether voluntary contributions would actually improve your pension.
It is also worth checking your State Pension age and considering how the State Pension fits alongside workplace or personal pensions and other savings.
Key takeaways
Almost 7 million adults have never checked their State Pension forecast, according to new HMRC research. The risk is not that everyone in this group is missing out on money — it is that people may be unaware of their actual entitlement or potential gaps until later.
A quick forecast check can provide a clearer picture and, where action is possible, give people more time to make an informed decision.
