UK state pension cancels direct debit (why?) and sends bill

[Bubblegun]

This could be SERPS- state earnings related pension scheme, which has been in existence since about the late 70s, it has been wound down and integrated into the higher value new state pension.

That's what I was looking for. I knew there was some scheme which I remember Thatcher talking about. I also found this about the additional state pension, which makes this all complicated. By the Looks of it they've been wound down.
https://www.gov.uk/additional-state-pen ... acting-out

Your NI record should tell you how many more years you, individually, need to contribute to get the maximum payout. In general it is 35 years and there is no point paying more but there are some exceptions. See the wiki:

https://retirewiki.jp/wiki/United_Kingdom

Thank you for that. I also thought the same. I also contacted AGEUK and they guided me to their factsheets here which is a pretty comprehensive read.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/a ... on_fcs.pdf

[kuma]

Thank you for that. I also thought the same. I also contacted AGEUK and they guided me to their factsheets here which is a pretty comprehensive read.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/a ... on_fcs.pdf

A well-written resource, already updated for April 2023. Thanks for sharing the link. Added to the wiki.