# Can you top up your state pension?

> 24% of new state pension claimants in 2024/25 received less than full rate.
- Title: Can you top up your state pension? · MoneyWeek | Shortify
- Summary: 24% of new state pension claimants in 2024/25 received less than full rate. 24% of people starting state pension in 2024/25 got less than full weekly rate of…
- Keywords: state pension, national insurance, pension forecast, class 3 contributions, pension credit, state pension entitlement, ni record, top, state, pension, MoneyWeek
- Source: MoneyWeek — https://moneyweek.com/personal-finance/state-pensions/state-pension-national-insurance-top-up
- Published: 2026-10-20T04:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: state pension, national insurance, pension forecast, class 3 contributions, pension credit, state pension entitlement, ni record
## State pension claimants in 2024/25
Nearly a quarter of people who started claiming the state pension in the 2024/25 tax year didn't get the full amount.
## Full pension rate for 2024/25
76% of 776,330 new state pension claimants received the maximum weekly rate of £221.20.
## Low pension recipients
16% received less than £200 a week, 3% received less than £100 a week.
## 2025/26 pension data
489,730 people claimed the new state pension between April 2025 and November 2025.
## Full pension rate for 2025/26
71% of 489,730 new state pension claimants received the full rate of £230.25.
## Why pension amounts vary
Some people have gaps in their NI record or were contracted out under old state pension system.
## Sarah Pennells on low pensions
We often talk about the full state pension amount, but one in four pensioners claiming last year got less.

> We often talk about the full state pension amount, but as these figures show, approximately one in four pensioners claiming last year got less
## Steve Webb on low pensions
People short of full rate may have lower NI contributions or gaps in their record.

> There will always be people short of the full rate. In some cases this will be because of years when they were paying a lower, contracted out, rate of NI contributions, or because they simply have gaps in their record when they were not working or getting NI credits
## State pension entitlement
You need at least 10 qualifying years for minimum pension of £68.90 a week.
## How to top up pension
You can fill gaps in your NI record through credits or voluntary contributions.
## Claim credits
Specific Adult Childcare Credits available for grandparents caring for children under 12.
## Buy missing NI years
Class 3 contributions cost £18.40 a week or £956.80 a year for 2026/27.
## Contracted out scheme impact
Three quarters of people reaching state pension age between 2016 and 2036 were in contracted out schemes.

> Although it was abolished in 2016, three quarters of people reaching state pension age between 2016 and 2:036 would have been members of contracted out schemes at some point in their working lives
## When topping up is worth it
Topping up can push you over benefit thresholds or not be worth it for short-lived people.
## Key takeaway

24% of people starting state pension in 2024/25 got less than full weekly rate of £221.20.