I think it's important to say, in case someone else is browsing the forum and starting to worry: "don't panic"! Do what Chris is doing and get a proper forecast. All the advice sites say that it is impossible to calculate yourself.
Just to give a more optimistic perspective: DH was in a contracted out scheme all his working life. He retired early and received a work pension. He then reached state pension age after the new scheme came in. He did not get the full 'headline rate' but he did get some state pension, based on the number of years he had paid NI with a reduction to reflect the fact that under the old scheme he was not entitled to the earnings-based additional state pension.
Obviously, that won't apply to everyone so as everybody above has advised: get a proper forecast.
Chris, the work you do on signposting useful stuff is amazing, thank you. I do hope you will find a glimmer of hope.
Just to give a more optimistic perspective: DH was in a contracted out scheme all his working life. He retired early and received a work pension. He then reached state pension age after the new scheme came in. He did not get the full 'headline rate' but he did get some state pension, based on the number of years he had paid NI with a reduction to reflect the fact that under the old scheme he was not entitled to the earnings-based additional state pension.
Obviously, that won't apply to everyone so as everybody above has advised: get a proper forecast.
Chris, the work you do on signposting useful stuff is amazing, thank you. I do hope you will find a glimmer of hope.