State pension with 22 qualifying years — building steadily.
What state pension do you get with 22 qualifying NI years? See the estimated amount and learn how much each extra year adds to your pension.
Twenty-two qualifying years gives you roughly 63% of the full new state pension — about £144 per week or approximately £7,500 a year at 2025/26 rates. This is 13 years short of the full entitlement. At this level, the gap represents around £4,300 a year in foregone retirement income. People in this position often include those who spent a decade or more abroad, worked partly in the informal economy, or had periods of self-employment where they did not pay Class 2 NI contributions. If you are still working and paying NI, each year automatically adds another qualifying year. If you are nearing retirement with gaps, voluntary Class 3 contributions can fill years from the past six tax years. Each year you buy adds roughly £329 per year to your pension for the rest of your life.