Special circumstances
Carers
If you’ve not paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions because you’ve been looking after children or caring for someone long-term, the number of qualifying years you need to qualify for the the basic State Pension will be reduced. This is known as Home Responsibilities Protection.
Find out more about Home Responsibilities Protection
Alternatively, you could read or print State pensions for carers and parents [PM9]
Gender Recognition
If you have a full Gender Recognition Certificate, your social security benefits will be paid on the basis of your acquired gender. This means that your right to any benefit or pension may change. This could result in an increase or decrease in the amount of benefit paid to you or your entitlement to a benefit may start or stop.
Find out more on the Gender Recognition Panel website
Coming from abroad
Depending on which countries you have worked in and how long you worked there, you may be able to get a pension from all or some of them. Also some years spent living or working abroad may help you qualify for, or improve, your UK State Pension.
To find out more, read or print Coming from abroad and social security benefits [CFAA5DWP]