You can get a state pension forecast using the government's free online service to get an idea of how much you can expect to receive when you become eligible for the state pension.
If you had a private pension, you had the option to 'contract out' of the additional state pension, which involved making reduced National Insurance contributions. Instead of building up your state pension entitlement, you'd receive a boost to your workplace pot.
If you contracted out, your state pension forecast will include a figure known as a 'contracted-out pension equivalent', or COPE.
This is the equivalent of the additional state pension you would have got if you hadn't been contracted out and is deducted from your state pension entitlement.
Information about COPE looks like this in your state pension forecast:
Is my state pension forecast accurate?
The state pension forecast gives you an idea of what you can expect to get, but it isn't perfect.
It's an estimate based on current law and doesn't include any future increases in the state pension.
Where it includes a contracted-out pension equivalent (COPE) figure, it won't show your full contracting-out history so it's not always easy to work out how this figure was calculated.
How do I get a state pension forecast?
Online
You'll need a Government Gateway account to check your state pension forecast online. You'll be able to set one up if you don't have one (you'll need your National Insurance Number).
By phone or post
If you reach your state pension age in more than 30 days you can also request a state pension forecast by phone or by post.
You can call the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 and ask for a state pension forecast to be posted to you.
