Understanding Your UK State Pension
Free, independent information and tools to help you make informed decisions about your State Pension. Calculate your pension age, check your entitlement, and plan for retirement.
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State Pension Age
Find out when you can claim your State Pension based on your date of birth. Includes detailed information about age changes from 66 to 67.
How It's Calculated
Understand how qualifying years and National Insurance contributions determine your State Pension amount. Learn about the 35-year requirement.
Pension Calculators
Free tools to estimate your State Pension age, calculate your entitlement, and explore deferral options. All calculations based on current rules.
Check Your Forecast
Step-by-step guide to accessing your official State Pension forecast online. Find out what you'll get and when you can claim it.
Fill Gaps in Your Record
Learn about voluntary National Insurance contributions. Find out when it makes sense to fill gaps and how much it costs.
National Insurance Credits
Discover if you qualify for National Insurance credits due to caring responsibilities, illness, unemployment, or other circumstances.
UK Residents Only
This website focuses on the UK State Pension system. The information applies primarily to UK residents and UK nationals. If you've lived or worked abroad, some rules may differ. See our Living Abroad section for details.
Current State Pension Rates (2025/26)
| Pension Type | Weekly Amount | Annual Amount | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|---|---|
| New State Pension (Full) | £230.25 | £11,973.00 | Reached pension age on/after 6 April 2016 with 35 qualifying years |
| Basic State Pension | £176.45 | £9,175.40 | Reached pension age before 6 April 2016 |
These rates are effective from 6 April 2025. They increase annually under the triple lock (highest of inflation, earnings growth, or 2.5%).
Key Facts
- Current State Pension age is 66 for both men and women (as of 2025)
- Increasing to 67 between May 2026 and April 2028 for those born after 5 April 1960
- You need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions for the full new State Pension
- Minimum 10 qualifying years needed to get any State Pension at all
- You can defer claiming to increase your weekly amount (approximately 5.8% per year)
- The State Pension is taxable but paid without tax deducted
- You can check your forecast free online at gov.uk/check-state-pension