The government is providing advice on the new state pension rules
The government advises that 'if you’re 50 or over, you should apply for your statement'.
The new state pension rules have been previously highlighted. As a reminder, the new state pension is based on national insurance contributions or credits on your national insurance record before 6 April 2016.
Those who up to April have ‘contracted out’ will in the main find that they receive a lower state pension.
The online service to check your pension is accessed via the government gateway where you can check your state pension and find out what can be done to improve it.
There are a series of basic guides highlighting the changes that will apply:
The guidance highlights the extended time limits for making additional contributions to 'fill in gaps in tax years which are not already qualifying years'.
Instead of payment filling in gaps in the previous six years there are special arrangements 'if you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. You have until 5 April 2023 to pay voluntary contributions to make up gaps between April 2006 and April 2016.'