The UK State Pension Explained: What You’ll Really Get and When

Understanding the UK State Pension can feel like decoding a secret language—but it’s vital to know what you’re entitled to, when you’ll get it, and how to plan ahead. Whether retirement feels years away or just around the corner, here’s a clear breakdown of how it works.

What Is the State Pension?

The State Pension is a regular payment from the government that you can claim when you reach State Pension age, provided you’ve paid (or been credited with) enough National Insurance (NI) contributions over your working life.

It’s not means-tested, which means it’s not based on your income or savings—but how much you receive depends on your NI record.

When Can You Get the State Pension?

As of 2025, the State Pension age is:

• 66 for men and women born before 5 April 1960

• Rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028
• Planned rise to 68 at some point in the future (currently under review)

You can check your exact State Pension age using the UK Government’s online calculator.

How Much Will You Actually Get?

There are two types of State Pension, depending on when you were born:

1.    New State Pension
(for those reaching pension age on or after 6 April 2016)

• Full amount (2025/26 tax year): £230.25 per week
• That’s £11,973.00 per year, paid every 4 weeks

To get the full amount, you usually need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions.

You’ll get less if you have fewer than 35 years, and nothing if you have fewer than 10 (unless you can top it up with credits or voluntary contributions).

2.    Basic State Pension
(for those who reached pension age before 6 April 2016)

• Full amount is lower: £176.45 per week
• Depends on your NI contributions and potentially your spouse’s record

How Do You Qualify?

You need at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any State Pension. Qualifying years can come from:

• Paying NI while working
• Receiving NI credits (e.g., for unemployment, illness, maternity, or as a carer)
• Voluntary contributions (Class 3)

If you’re self-employed, you’ll typically pay Class 2 or Class 4 NICs.

How to Check Your State Pension Forecast

Want to see how much you’re on track to get and when? It’s easy:

Use the official

Check your State Pension tool: https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

You’ll need a Government Gateway account. Once logged in, you can:

• See your forecast amount
• View your NI contribution history
• Find out how to increase your pension, if needed

Can You Top It Up?

Yes. If you have gaps in your NI record, you can often buy voluntary Class 3 contributions to fill them in. This could increase your State Pension—potentially a good return on investment if you live long enough to benefit.

Be sure to check whether buying years will actually improve your payout—it’s not always necessary or beneficial.

What About Partners?

If you’re married or in a civil partnership, there’s no longer a special “spousal pension” under the new system, but you may:

• Inherit some of a deceased partner’s State Pension
• Be eligible for Pension Credit if your combined income is low

Tax and the State Pension

Your State Pension counts as taxable income, though it’s paid gross (without tax taken off). If your total income in retirement exceeds your Personal Allowance (£12,570 in 2024/25), you’ll pay income tax on the excess.

Things to Watch

• The State Pension won’t be enough to fund a comfortable retirement for most people— consider private or workplace pensions too.

• The Triple Lock (which increases the State Pension each year by the highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%) remains in place for now, but its future is uncertain.

Summary: What You Need to Do

1. Check your forecast via gov.uk/check-state-pension
2. Review your NI record and fill any gaps if beneficial
3. Understand your retirement age based on your date of birth
4. Plan beyond the State Pension—it’s a base, not a full income

The earlier you understand your State Pension, the better you can plan for a more secure and comfortable retirement.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited Sept 2025