12 mistakes which mean DWP could 'reduce' your next state pension payment

12 mistakes which will reduce your State Pension have emerged - with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issuing a warning. There are some benefits or situations where you are entitled to National Insurance credits if you need them.

But these aren’t given automatically, and you need to apply. Failure to do this could mean expensive gaps on your record, the DWP has warned. These include if you’re on Jury Service and you’re not self-employed or if you’re a foster carer, or a kinship carer in Scotland.

These also include if you were wrongly imprisoned and your conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal (or the Court of Criminal Appeal in Scotland) or if you’re married to or a civil partner of a member of the armed forces, went with your partner on an overseas posting after 6 April 2010, and are returning to the UK.

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Other reasons include if you’re over 18 and on a government-approved training course that lasts no longer than 1 year but you were not sent by Jobcentre Plus, if you’re on Statutory Sick Pay and you do not earn enough to make a qualifying year or if you’re caring for one or more sick or disabled person for at least 20 hours a week.

In most cases where you need to claim, you need to write to PT Operations North East England, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AN, United Kingdom. You should include your National Insurance number and say when the credits are for and why you’re eligible.

If you’re unemployed and looking for work, but not on Jobseeker’s Allowance, you can contact your local Jobcentre to claim Class 1 credits, then you're also affected, as well as if you’re married to or a civil partner of a member of the armed forces, went with your partner on an overseas posting after 6 April 1975, reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2016, and are not getting Class 1 credits.

If you’re on Working Tax Credit, you might get credits automatically, but you need to check your record to make sure you’ve received them or if you’re on Statutory Maternity, Paternity or Adoption Pay, or Additional Statutory Paternity Pay, and you do not earn enough to make a qualifying year are other reasons.