You get a smaller basic state pension if you haven't paid enough NICs of the right type. You may not get a state pension at all if you've paid less than the minimum contributions.

In some cases, you can choose to pay voluntary contributions. Your local social security office can tell you if you are entitled to credits.

The basic State Pension in 2005/06 is £84.25 for a single person and £134.75 for couples. The government usually increases the basic state pension each year in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI), so it should keep up with prices in the future, but not with average earnings.

You can get a state pension forecast from the government website.