Thousands of UK pensioners may not know that they could get up to £3,900 extra each year added to their State Pension — all thanks to a special DWP scheme. If you’ve ever cared for someone or taken time off work to raise children, this money might be waiting for you.
This boost comes from National Insurance credits — and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people to check if they qualify. The good news? You don’t need to have worked every year of your life to claim your full pension.
What’s This £3,900 Pension Boost About?
To get the full new State Pension, you need 35 years of National Insurance (NI) contributions. If you have fewer than that, your payments could be lower. But here’s the thing — not everyone realises that they may already have NI credits that fill in the gaps, especially if they were carers or stayed home with young children.
These credits are worth thousands — and if you’ve missed even one qualifying year, your annual pension could be reduced by over £200. Multiply that over 20 years of retirement, and you’re losing more than £4,000. That’s why DWP wants people to check and apply.
Who Can Get the Pension Boost?
You could be eligible for NI credits if you’ve done any of the following:
- Claimed Child Benefit (especially between 1978 and 2010)
- Cared for someone for more than 20 hours a week
- Received Carer’s Allowance
- Were on Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
- Had periods of low income or were unemployed but not claiming benefits
One major issue is that many people — especially women — who claimed Child Benefit before 2010 may not have had their NI record updated. This is often because they didn’t fill out forms in the right name or had income above the Child Benefit cap.
How Do I Check If I Qualify?
Checking is simple. You can:
- View your National Insurance record online through your HMRC account.
- Contact DWP or HMRC if you believe there are missing credits.
- Apply for Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) if you stayed at home to raise children before 2010.
The government is currently reviewing hundreds of thousands of old Child Benefit claims to see who might have been underpaid. If they find an error, they’ll contact you — but it’s best not to wait and check for yourself.
How Much Could You Get?
The full new State Pension is £221.20 per week in 2025. If you’re short just 1 qualifying year, you could lose £227.55 per year from your pension. If you’re missing 17 years, that’s around £3,900 a year less — every year of your retirement.
Filling in these gaps now could mean you receive thousands more over your lifetime. And if you’ve already retired, you can still get back pay if your claim is approved.
Don’t Miss Out – Act Now
The DWP is urging everyone nearing retirement age, or already retired, to check their National Insurance record and make sure they aren’t missing any credits. If you think you’re owed something, apply as soon as possible — because payments won’t happen automatically in most cases.
This is especially important for women, carers, and anyone who worked part-time or took career breaks. Your work at home matters — and it should count toward your pension.
Final Thoughts
This £3,900 State Pension boost could be life-changing for many, but it’s still going unnoticed. Don’t wait for a government letter — take the lead and check your record today. A few minutes now could add thousands to your retirement income.
Grant Wilkinson is a content editor at The Landscape Insight, where he helps to produce engaging and informative articles about the industry. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for quality, Grant works closely with a team of writers and designers to bring the latest news and insights to readers. You can reach Grant at – Grant@landscapeinsight.com or on Our website Contact Us Page.
