THE KNOWLEDGE BASE

Clear answers for your State Pension decisions.

Evidence-led guides for checking gaps, comparing costs and avoiding payments that may not improve your pension.

01
Decision guide · 8 min read

Are voluntary National Insurance contributions worth paying?

A practical framework for deciding whether filling a gap in your National Insurance record is likely to improve your State Pension.

02
Explainer · 6 min read

Why 35 qualifying years may not give you the full State Pension

Understand the 35-year headline, transitional rules and why your official State Pension forecast is the figure that matters.

03
2026/27 rates · 5 min read

Class 3 National Insurance contributions: cost and break-even

See the 2026/27 Class 3 rate, how to estimate a full-year cost and why the amount shown on your HMRC record should be used.