What is the State Pension and how much could I get?

The State Pension is a regular payment from the UK government, paid by HMRC and administered through the Department for Work and Pensions, once you reach State Pension age. The amount you receive depends on your National Insurance record — the number of qualifying years you have built up through work, National Insurance credits, or voluntary contributions.

The UK currently operates the 'new State Pension' for men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953. The full new State Pension is a fixed weekly amount, but individuals with gaps in their National Insurance record may receive less than the full amount. You can check your State Pension forecast through the government's Check Your State Pension service on GOV.UK.

State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, but it started rising to 67 on 6 April 2026. The increase is being phased in gradually, so anyone born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will have a State Pension age that falls somewhere between 66 and 67, depending on their date of birth. The Department for Work and Pensions writes to people ahead of their State Pension date, but checking your personal date in advance helps with retirement planning.

Importantly, the State Pension is rarely enough on its own to fund retirement in full. Most people combine it with a workplace or personal pension.

For a clear picture of how the State Pension fits into your overall retirement income, a regulated independent financial adviser can help you assess your position.