Readers forum: Confirming full pension entitlement

My client has logged on to her personal digital tax account (PDTA) and has reported her pension forecast to me. Her forecast is £11 541.90 – the full ‘new state pension’ – which she can draw from her 67th birthday in June 2028. It is ‘not a guarantee and is based on the current law’; she ‘cannot improve her forecast any more’. All that is routine. However according to her National Insurance contribution record she only has 33 full years of contributions at the date of enquiry.

There is one year long ago that is ‘not full’ and 2024-25 will in due course be another full year but she will not be working in 2025-26. I thought that 35 full years are required for a full pension. Can she rely on what it says on the PDTA or should she make a voluntary...