"The government are not paying me anything,it is my money coming back to me after many, many years of contributions. "
I agree that too often references are made to the government paying out their money when it is our money we have entrusted to them.
However I'm not sure I agree that NI contributions directly fund our pensions. On average I am sure most pensioners receive more back in state pensions than they paid in NI contributions.
I would agree that if indeed you miss a few days pension it seems unfair, but the amounts involved are trivial compared with several much bigger issues around unfairness with pensions- e.g. some women received it at 60 whereas some will have to wait until 67, some will get age related allowances while some won't, those who saved for small private pensions find they wasted their money as they lose out on Pension Credit, etc