Check your State Pension age, National Insurance record and State Pension forecast on GOV.UK. Your forecast shows an estimate based on your record, while eligibility and the amount depend on your individual circumstances; many people need at least 10 qualifying years for any New State Pension and 35 for the full rate, subject to transitional rules. Look for gaps and check whether paying voluntary National Insurance contributions could improve your forecast before making a decision. You usually need to claim rather than receive it automatically, so apply around four months before you want payments to begin.