Qualifying Years Calculator
Calculate your estimated State Pension based on how many qualifying years of National Insurance contributions you have or expect to have.
Calculate Your Pension
What Are Qualifying Years?
A qualifying year is a tax year in which you have:
- Paid National Insurance through employment or self-employment
- Received NI credits for caring, unemployment, illness, etc.
- Made voluntary contributions to fill gaps
Understanding the Results
Full State Pension (35 Years)
With 35 qualifying years, you get the full State Pension of £230.25 per week (£11,973 per year) for 2025/26.
Proportional Calculation
If you have between 10 and 35 years, your pension is calculated proportionally:
Your pension = (Your years ÷ 35) × £230.25
Below Minimum (Less Than 10 Years)
With fewer than 10 qualifying years, you get no State Pension under the new system. However, you may:
- Qualify for Pension Credit if you have low income
- Fill gaps with voluntary contributions to reach 10 years
How to Find Your Qualifying Years
To get your actual number of qualifying years:
- Check your State Pension forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension
- Or check your National Insurance record at gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
Can I Increase My Qualifying Years?
Yes, you can increase your qualifying years by:
- Working: Earning above £6,396/year (2025/26)
- Claiming credits: For caring, unemployment, benefits
- Voluntary contributions: Paying Class 3 NI (£923/year for 2025/26)
Use our Voluntary NI Calculator to see if filling gaps makes sense.
Important Notes
- This calculator provides estimates for the new State Pension (post-April 2016)
- It cannot account for contracted-out deductions or protected payments
- Individual circumstances may vary - always check your official forecast
- Rates shown are for 2025/26 and increase annually