How much is the State Pension?

How much is the full State Pension?

For the 2026/27 tax year, the full new State Pension is £241.30 a week, which is about £12,550 a year.

That's the full rate. Some people get more, because a protected payment from before the new State Pension began can be paid on top. What you'll actually get depends on your own National Insurance record, so check your forecast (below).

How many years of National Insurance do I need?

You normally need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance for the full new State Pension if you had no National Insurance record before April 2016, and at least 10 to get any. Between the two, you get a share in proportion to your years.

A year can count because you worked and paid National Insurance, or because you got credits, for example while claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12, or while unable to work through illness.

How do I check my own State Pension?

Use the government's free Check your State Pension forecast service on gov.uk. It shows how much you could get, when, and whether you have gaps in your record. It's the only figure that's actually yours.

When can I get it?

From your State Pension age. It's 66 now and is rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028 for people born after 5 April 1960. gov.uk's State Pension age calculator gives your exact date.

Does the State Pension go up every year?

Yes. Under the "triple lock", it rises each April by the highest of earnings growth, price inflation or 2.5%. The amount above is for 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.

Is the State Pension taxed?

It's taxable income, but no tax is taken off before it's paid. If your total income, including the State Pension and any other pensions, is above your Personal Allowance, you pay tax on the part above it, usually collected through your other pension or by HMRC.

Can I fill gaps in my record?

Often, yes. You can usually pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps from the past 6 years. Whether it's worth it depends on your record, so check your forecast first. It shows which years can be filled and what each would add.

What if I reached State Pension age before April 2016?

Then you're on the older basic State Pension, with different rules and amounts. gov.uk's State Pension pages cover it.