State Pension
The State Pension is a regular payment from the government that you can claim when you reach State Pension age, based on your National Insurance record.
Also known as: new State Pension, basic State Pension
You usually need 10 qualifying years for any new State Pension and 35 for the full amount. You can check your forecast on GOV.UK and may be able to fill gaps with voluntary contributions.
You have to claim it, and it is taxable, although no tax is taken before it is paid.
Free, impartial guidance is available from MoneyHelper and Pension Wise. Be wary of any unsolicited offers about your pension or investments.
Related terms
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10 min readReadThis page provides general information only. It is not personalised financial, legal or tax advice, and rules and figures can change. Your situation is unique — please check official sources such as GOV.UK and MoneyHelper, and speak to a qualified, FCA-authorised adviser before making important decisions about your money.