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Key takeaways
- You usually need 10 qualifying NI years for any State Pension, and 35 for the full amount
- Check your forecast and your State Pension age on GOV.UK
- You may be able to fill gaps with voluntary contributions. Check before paying
- You must claim your State Pension; it is not automatic
- It is only a foundation, so consider other saving
The State Pension is a regular payment from the government that you can claim when you reach State Pension age. For many people, it forms the foundation of their retirement income. Rules and amounts change, so this guide explains how the system works in principle and tells you where to find the current figures on GOV.UK.
Who gets the State Pension?
It is based on your National Insurance (NI) record. Broadly, if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, you are covered by the new State Pension. People who reached State Pension age before that date are covered by the older basic State Pension system and may also receive additional State Pension.
For the new State Pension:
- You usually need 10 qualifying years on your NI record to receive any State Pension.
- You usually need 35 qualifying years for the full amount.
- If you have between 10 and 35 years, you get a proportion of the full amount.
- A qualifying year is one in which you paid NI contributions through work or self-employment, received NI credits (for example, for caring for a child or receiving certain benefits), or paid voluntary contributions.
The full rate is reviewed each April, and it currently increases by the "triple lock", a government policy that uprates it by the highest of earnings growth, price inflation or 2.5%. Policy can change, so check GOV.UK for the current weekly amount.
State Pension age
State Pension age is set by law and depends on when you were born. It has been rising, and further increases are planned. You can check your own State Pension age using the government's online calculator. It is not the same as the age at which you can access a private pension, which is currently 55 and due to rise to 57 from April 2028.
Checking your forecast
You can get a free State Pension forecast on GOV.UK. It shows:
- How much you could get
- When you can claim
- Your NI record and any gaps
- Whether you can improve it
You will need to sign in with a GOV.UK account. Check your record every few years, especially if you have worked abroad, been self-employed, taken a career break or been a carer.
Filling gaps in your record
If you have gaps, you may be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill them. This can increase your State Pension, and for many people it is good value. However:
- There are time limits on how far back you can go
- Not every gap is worth filling, for example if you will reach 35 qualifying years anyway
- Different classes of voluntary contribution have different costs
Check with the Future Pension Centre or the State Pension forecast service on GOV.UK before paying. Beware of firms that charge a fee to do this for you. You can do it directly with HMRC for free.
You may also be entitled to NI credits automatically or on application, for example if you claim Child Benefit for a child under 12, if you are a carer, or while receiving certain benefits.
Claiming your State Pension
It is not paid automatically. You normally get a letter about two months before you reach State Pension age, telling you how to claim. You can claim online, by phone or by post. Payments are made every four weeks into your bank account.
Deferring
If you delay claiming your State Pension, it increases by a set amount for each week you defer. The rules differ for the new and the basic State Pension. Deferring may be sensible if you are still working and do not need the money, but it depends on your health, tax position and other income. Get guidance from the Pension Service or MoneyHelper.
Tax and the State Pension
The State Pension is taxable income, but no tax is deducted before it is paid. If your total income, including the State Pension and any private pensions, is above your Personal Allowance, you may owe tax, which is collected through your other pension or by HMRC. The State Pension on its own may be close to or above the personal allowance for some people, depending on the rates. Check GOV.UK for current figures.
Other benefits for pensioners
Many people miss out on benefits to which they are entitled. For example:
- Pension Credit: tops up low income, and can unlock other help
- Attendance Allowance: for people with care needs
- Council Tax Reduction
- Housing Benefit or help with housing costs
- Winter Fuel and related payments: eligibility rules change, so check GOV.UK
Use the free benefits calculators on GOV.UK, Age UK and Turn2us.
Living abroad
If you retire abroad, you can still claim your State Pension, but annual increases apply only in certain countries. Check the rules for your destination.
State Pension is not enough for many people
The State Pension is designed as a base, and most people want more than it provides. Look at your workplace pension; see workplace pensions explained. You can also save in personal pensions and SIPPs or ISAs. To think about how much you might want, see how much to save for retirement.
Watch out for scams
Never give your personal details to anyone who contacts you out of the blue claiming to be from the Pension Service or HMRC. You can claim and manage your State Pension for free through GOV.UK. See how to spot a pension scam.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the State Pension?
Can I get the State Pension if I have never worked?
What if I worked abroad?
Is the State Pension taxable?
Sources and further reading
- The new State Pension — GOV.UK
- Check your State Pension forecast — GOV.UK
- State Pension age calculator — GOV.UK
- Voluntary National Insurance contributions — GOV.UK
This 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.
Written by
MoneyBrink Editorial Team — Editorial team
The MoneyBrink Editorial Team researches, writes and reviews every guide on this site. We work from official UK sources such as GOV.UK, the Financial Conduct Authority, MoneyHelper and the Money and Pensions Service, explain things in plain English, and update articles when the rules change. We do not sell financial products and we do not give personal advice.
Read how we research and check our guides in our editorial policy.
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