The state pension is an income from the government that most people receive once they reach state pension age. It forms a foundation for your retirement income and how much you receive depends on your National Insurance record and when you became eligible.
Below are five key features of the UK state pension.
- Eligibility: You usually need at least 10 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits to receive anything, and 35 years for the full amount.
- Current rate: In 2026/27, the full new State Pension is £241.30 a week.
- Check your record: You can view your forecast and contribution history at gov.uk/check-state-pension.
- Deferring your pension: You don’t have to take it right away - deferring increases your payments when you do start.
- Topping up: If you have gaps in your record, you may be able to make voluntary contributions to boost your entitlement.
Knowing your state pension entitlement helps you plan the rest of your retirement income with confidence.
This article reflects our understanding of current legislation, which may change. While we can provide information, we can’t give you advice and therefore we recommend you seek professional advice before making any financial decisions. Investments can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the amount invested. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and available reliefs may vary.
The resources on Your Wealth can help you find a financial adviser in your local area.