HMRC is asking people to check their State Pension forecast during Pension Awareness Week, which runs from 15 to 18 September 2026.
What has HMRC found?
New HMRC research says one in eight adults (12.5%) have never checked their State Pension forecast. That is around 6.9 million people across the UK.
People aged 45 to 54 are the most likely to have never checked, even though this is a key time for retirement planning.
The most common reasons given for not checking were:
- Retirement feels too far away (26%)
- Worry about losing track of pension pots from old jobs (24%)
- Concern about how career breaks might affect entitlement (20%)
Some people said they did not know how to check (9.5%) or thought it would be too complicated (5%).
What can you do in the HMRC app?
The HMRC app is free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. HMRC says checking your forecast takes just a few minutes. You can use the app to:
- Check your State Pension forecast
- See any gaps in your National Insurance record
- Top up your National Insurance contributions, if you are eligible
- View your tax code, PAYE details, employment history and Self Assessment record
Where can you find tax guidance?
HMRC also runs a website called Tax Confident. It explains the tax side of retirement in simple terms. This includes how the State Pension counts as taxable income, managing tax while working and getting a pension, and how savings, investments and inheritance tax work in retirement.
Who does this affect?
Anyone who expects to receive a State Pension. That includes sole traders, landlords and company directors, who may have a different National Insurance history from someone who has always been employed. A gap in your record could affect what you receive later, so it is worth knowing where you stand.
There is no deadline for checking your forecast. Pension Awareness Week is simply a good reminder to do it.
If you would like help with understanding your National Insurance record or how retirement income may be taxed, please contact Oval Accountants.
Written by the team at Oval Accountants in Burgess Hill. If you're not sure how this affects you, ask us or call 01444 716592.
