Understanding the State Pension

What is the State Pension? 

The State Pension is a regular payment from the government that most people in the UK can receive when they reach their State Pension age. It’s usually paid every four weeks and counts as taxable income.

What are the types of State Pension?

There are currently two State Pension systems — the ‘basic State Pension' and the ‘new State Pension’. The government introduced the new State Pension in 2016 to replace the basic State Pension, which will eventually be phased out.  

The new State Pension applies to you if you’re: 

• A man born on or after 6 April 1951
• A woman born on or after 6 April 1953

You’ll receive the basic State Pension if you’re: 

• A man born before 6 April 1951
• A woman born before 6 April 1953 

For many people, the State Pension forms only part of their retirement income.

You might also have income from:   

• A workplace and/or private pension
• Other earnings, such as from savings, investments or property 

Who can get the State Pension?

You’ll qualify for the State Pension if you’ve paid enough NI contributions or received enough NI credits. You’ll need:

• Between 10 to 34 years – for a partial new State Pension
• At least 35 qualifying years – for the full new State Pension

You won’t receive any of the new State Pension if you have fewer than 10 qualifying years.

State Pension age: when can you claim?

This will depend on when you were born. Because people are living and working longer, the age you can receive your State Pension is gradually increasing:  

You don’t have to claim your pension as soon as you reach State Pension age – you can defer it to increase your payments. You can also continue working past your State Pension age and still receive it.  

The State Pension age is reviewed by the government at least once every five years.

You can check your State Pension age using the government’s State Pension age tool.

How much State Pension could you get?

The amount you’ll get from the State Pension will depend on how many years you’ve made NI contributions. This amount also increases annually.

What are the current State Pension rates (2026/27 rates)?

The full amount of the new State Pension for the 2026/27 tax year is £241.30 a week, or £12,548 a year. To get the full new State Pension, you’ll need at least 35 qualifying years of NI contributions.

If you receive the basic State Pension, the full amount for the 2026/27 tax year is £184.90 a week, or £9,615 a year. To claim the full amount, you usually need to have made NI contributions for at least 30 years.

In 2010, the government introduced a ‘triple lock system’. This means the State Pension increases each April, in line with whichever of these three measures is the highest: 

• Inflation in September of the previous year, as measured by the Consumer Price Index
• Average increase in wages for May to June of the previous year
• 2.5% minimum increase to the State Pension

How to check your State Pension eligibility

You’ll usually need at least 10 qualifying years on your NI record to take any income from the new State Pension. To claim the full amount, you’ll need at least 35 qualifying years.

A qualifying year is one in which you were: 

• working and made NI contributions, or
• receiving NI credits — for example, if you were unemployed, ill, an unpaid carer or claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12.  

Some people have gaps in their NI record, for example, if they took time off to look after children, or spent time working abroad. In many cases, you can make voluntary contributions to fill these gaps and potentially increase the amount of State Pension you receive. You can find out more about voluntary NI contributions on GOV.UK.  

If you were contracted out of the ‘Additional State Pension’ (also known as ‘State Second Pension’ or ‘SERPs’) before April 2016, you may need more than 35 qualifying years to get the full State Pension. This is because some of your NI contributions were either lower than people who weren’t contracted out or paid into your workplace or private pension instead.

Check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK 

Your State Pension forecast 

Your online State Pension forecast shows how much State Pension you're currently on track to receive based on your National Insurance record.

What is a State Pension forecast? 

Your State Pension forecast can be used to discover:

• How much State Pension you could get
• How much State Pension you’re currently on track to receive
• The date you can receive the State Pension
• How you can increase your State Pension if you’re not on track to receive the full amount
• Your NI record (shows any gaps in your NI years).

The State Pension forecast has replaced the State Pension online statement.

How to check your forecast 

You can check your new State Pension forecast online through the government website.

Why might your forecast be lower than expected 

Gaps in your State Pension forecast and NI years can happen for various reasons. Common reasons include:

• Career breaks or unemployment (and not claiming benefits)
• Time abroad/travelling
• Self-employment
• Missing NI number (if you don’t have an NI number or you didn’t supply one to your employer, they may have been unable to credit your account.)
• Contracted-out pensions 

Can you increase your State Pension? 

Don’t worry if your forecast shows gaps in your NI history, there are several ways you can boost your contributions to increase your State Pension payments.

Boost your NI qualifying years by:

• working and paying NI contributions until you reach the State Pension age
• qualifying for NI credits (through benefits, proving you were job hunting etc.)
• making voluntary contributions
• delaying when you receive the State Pension.

Is the State Pension enough to retire on? 

The State Pension provides a helpful foundation for your retirement income, but it’s unlikely to be enough on its own. That’s why it’s important to think about how much you’ll need to maintain your future lifestyle, and where that money will come from. 

If your income in retirement is low, you may be able to boost it through Pension Credit. This is a means‑tested benefit from the government that tops up the State Pension for people who don’t receive the full amount or who have limited income. It ensures you have a minimum guaranteed weekly income and can also give access to other support, such as help with housing costs or certain bills. 

If you’ve worked for an employer or been self-employed, you may have built up some workplace or personal pension savings from over the years. If you can top these up, it will give your savings a welcome boost.  

Use our retirement planner to work out how much income you’ll need in retirement to have the lifestyle you want. 

For further unbiased pension support and retirement planning, we recommend Pension Wise and MoneyHelper.

Can you receive a private or workplace pension and a State Pension? 

Yes, the State Pension is provided by the government and is based on your NI contributions. You can receive it from your State Pension age. It’s completely separate from any private or workplace pension that you pay into, which you can usually receive from the age of 55 (or age 57 from 2028). Paying into a private or workplace pension doesn’t affect your entitlement to the State Pension. 

Discover more about the different types of pensions and what they offer.  

What changed in the 2026/27 tax year? 

In the 2026/27 tax year, the State Pension increased by 4.8%. This is in line with inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index in September 2025. 

If you qualify for the new State Pension, the full amount you’ll receive for the 2026/27 tax year is £241.30 a week (up from £230.25 in 2025/26). 

If you reached State Pension age before April 2016 and receive the basic State Pension, the full amount you’ll receive for the 2026/27 tax year is £184.90 a week (up from £176.45 in 2025/26). 

There were no changes announced to the State Pension age for this year.