The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now 13 million people across Great Britain receiving State Pension payments, including 1.1 million living abroad and over one million in Scotland. Of that overall total, some 66 per cent of people will receive Basic State Pension payments of up to £176.45 each week over the 2025/26 financial year, while 34 per cent are on - or due to claim - the New State Pension , which is now worth up to £230.25 each week. However, pensions expert Helen Morrissey warns that not everyone reaching 66 in this financial year and making a claim will receive the maximum amount - especially women. The head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown explained: “Women in particular can have gaps in their National Insurance record that mean they aren’t currently entitled to a full pension.” The current age of retirement is 66 for men and women across Great Britain and is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. There are several things everyone can check now to ensure they maximise State Pension payments - even if they have already reached retirement age. Ms Morrissey explained: “There are things you can do to plug the gaps, including checking to see if you were entitled to claim a benefit (such as Child Benefit) which comes with a National Insurance credit during that time, and seeing if you can backdate a claim. “You can also buy voluntary National Insurance credits, which can work out very good value. Generally, you can purchase credits to plug gaps going back six tax years."” However, before you rush to plug gaps in your National Insurance (NI) record, the pensions expert warns: “It is hugely important that you speak to the DWP before parting with any money for voluntary National Insurance credits as they can confirm if you will definitely benefit from buying them. In some instances, such as if you were contracted out for instance, you may not benefit from the extra credits.” You can find out more about being contracted out of the State Pension on GOV.UK here . The DWP has published the full list of State Pension and benefit uprated payments on GOV.UK here, which also includes additional elements such as the deferred rates, which are rising by 1.7 per cent (September Consumer Price Index inflation rate). Full New State Pension Full Basic State Pension The first thing you need to do is go online and check your State Pension entitlement on the ‘Check your State Pension forecast’ page on the GOV.UK website here . This will identify any missing or part-paid National Insurance contributions years - if you do have any, more details on what to do are in the next section. The forecast tool will also tell you your State Pension age - when you can officially retire and start collecting payments. Buy NI credits – If you can spare the cash, you can plug gaps in your NI record by buying voluntary class 3 NI contributions. Buying a full extra year costs around £800 though partial years will be cheaper. Each year bought you get 1/35th of a year’s state pension – around £300. This means you effectively earn your money back in around three years so it can prove very good value. It is, however, really important to check that it is worth your while paying for these credits so always check with the DWP before doing so. Contact the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 to double check how many years you can buy and whether voluntary contributions will add to your State Pension. Those who have already reached retirement age must contact the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469. Find out more about plugging gaps in your National Insurance record on GOV.UK here . Women in particular miss out on valuable State Pension credits when they are at home looking after children. However, if they claim Child Benefit , they will receive National Insurance credits that count towards their State Pension. Many women have missed out on this in the past because their husband claimed the Child Benefit rather than themselves. Others missed out when they opted out of Child Benefit after the introduction of the High-Income Child Benefit Tax Charge. If you claim Child Benefit in your name, then you will get the National Insurance credit towards your State Pension. Are you below State Pension age and looking after a family member under the age of 12 while their parent or main carer goes back to work? If this is the case, you could qualify for National Insurance credits under Specified Adult Childcare Credit as the working parent essentially transfers their NI credit to you. There are other situations where you are receiving benefits and you can still claim National Insurance credits. For example, if you are off work sick on Statutory Sick Pay. It is always worth checking to see if you may be entitled. Pension Credit aims to top up the incomes of pensioners on a low income and acts as a valuable gateway to other benefits such as help with housing or heating costs, Council Tax and a free TV licence for the over-75s. The means-tested benefit is worth an average of £4,300 over the 2025/26 financial year, however, the latest figures from the DWP indicate that an estimated 760,000 older people are eligible, but not claiming. Pension Credit currently supports 1.4 million pensioners across Great Britain, including 125,000 living in Scotland. Older people - or friends and family - can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here . Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.