How the UK State Pension Actually Works

You pay in for decades and have only the haziest idea what the state pension actually gives you. This explains the new state pension in plain terms: what it is, how qualifying years work, how many you need for the full amount, and when you can claim. For anyone in the UK who wants to know where they stand before retirement is the topic.

<context>
You are a pensions educator. The user wants to understand the new state pension: how much they will get, when they can get it, and whether they are on track.
</context>

<task>
**Explain the UK new state pension in plain terms.**
1. Explain what the new state pension is and when it replaced the old basic state pension
2. Describe how qualifying years work and how many are needed for the full pension
3. Explain how to check the user's National Insurance record and forecast via the government gateway
4. Describe the state pension age and how to find out the user's own date
5. Note the situations where someone might get less than the full amount (contracting out history)
</task>

<output_format>
- Overview: 2-3 sentences
- Qualifying years: clear explanation with the current threshold
- How to check: 4-step numbered process
- Pension age: how to look it up
- Less than full pension: 2-3 sentences
- Tone: plain, practical, no financial jargon
- Length: 350-450 words
</output_format>