will I get a state pension if I have never worked

Wojciech

Wojciech

Diploma for Financial Advisers
Diploma in Accounting
Member of London Institute of Banking and Finance


Many people wonder, “Will I get a State Pension if I have never worked?” The short answer is that it depends on your National Insurance (NI) record. In the UK, the State Pension is based on the number of years you have paid or been credited with National Insurance contributions.

How Does It Work?

To get the full State Pension, you need 35 years of qualifying NI contributions. If you have fewer than 10 years of contributions, you won’t usually qualify for any State Pension. However, even if you’ve never worked, there are ways you might still build up your NI record.

How Can I Build NI Contributions Without Working?

  1. Claiming Benefits: If you’ve claimed certain benefits, like Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit, you may have received NI credits.
  2. Being a Carer: If you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week or receive Carer’s Allowance, you may be eligible for NI credits.
  3. Raising Children: Parents or guardians who claim Child Benefit for children under 12 also receive NI credits.
  4. Spouse or Civil Partner’s Contributions: In some cases, if your spouse or partner has paid NI, you may be eligible for additional pension support.

What If I Don’t Qualify?

If you find that you don’t have enough contributions for a State Pension, you might still be able to:

  • Pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill in gaps.
  • Rely on other retirement savings, like private pensions or savings accounts.

Final Thoughts

If you’re asking, “Will I get a State Pension if I have never worked?” it’s important to check your NI record. You can do this online via the government’s website. This will help you understand what you’re entitled to and what steps you may need to take to secure a pension for the future.

Need help understanding your options? Book a financial guidance session today to plan your retirement effectively!


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