Another complication. If you are in a final salary scheme (eg teachers, police) you will have paid a reduced level of National Insurance contributions. Even if you pay (or qualify for) NI for 35 years you wont get a full state pension unless you wish to top up with additional voluntary NICs. In my case I need about 39 years to get near a full state pension. The 40th year is probably not a good investment in terms of paying a voluntary NIC as I will have overpaid and not get the money back through the pension for many years.