Check now what state pension you’ll earn

YOU can get access to a personalised state pension forecast based on your age and national insurance contributions during your working life. You need to meet a minimum of ten years to qualify and 30 years will buy you the maximum payout.

The current basic state pension is worth up to £115.95 a week. Next year the pension system will swap to the new flat-rate pension, worth up to £151.25 a week, but you’ll need 35 years of contributions. From April 2016, those who qualify will receive an amount using a different calculation, which has already thrown many workers into a state of confusion where forecasts are not meeting expectations.

The state pension age is changing. For years, it was 65 for men and 60 for women. But from 2020 men and women’s state pension age will be 66, increasing to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and then linked to life expectancy after that.

Savers who have not built up enough entitlement have a unique opportunity to top up their income, swapping a lump sum of savings for an increase in the state pension — for life.

Men over 65 and women over 63 can get up to £25 a week extra on their state pension in return for a one-off payment. The scheme — known as Class 3A voluntary contributions — came into force last week and is open until April 5, 2017.

Someone aged 65 who wants an extra income of £10 a week would have to pay a lump sum of £8,900.

Spouses or civil partners will be able to inherit at least half of that income.

To get a statement, call 0345 3000 168, visit gov.uk/state- pensionstatement, or write to The Pension Service 9, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1LU.

For the top up, visit gov.uk/state

pension-topup.