State Pension Calculator UK 2025/26

The full new State Pension for 2025/26 is £221.20 per week (£11,502.40 per year). This is for those who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 and have 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions.

The old basic State Pension (for those who reached pension age before April 2016) is £169.50 per week for 30 qualifying years. This increased by 8.5% in April 2024 due to the triple lock guarantee.

The State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. It is rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028 for those born after 5 March 1961.

For those born after 5 April 1977, it is expected to rise to 68, though this timeline is subject to government review. Use the official gov.uk calculator to find your exact State Pension age.

For the new State Pension (post-April 2016):

• 35 qualifying years for the full amount (£221.20/week)
• Minimum 10 years to receive any State Pension
• Each year is worth 1/35th = £6.32/week

For the old basic State Pension (pre-April 2016):

• 30 qualifying years for the full amount (£169.50/week)
• Minimum 1 year to qualify

Yes, you can pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in your record:

• 2025/26 cost: £17.45/week = £907.40/year
• Pension increase: £6.32/week = £328.64/year per year bought
• Payback period: ~2.8 years of retirement

You can typically only go back 6 years from the current tax year. However, there are temporary extensions for some older years until April 2025. Check your State Pension forecast first to confirm buying years will increase your pension.

NI credits are free qualifying years awarded when you cannot work:

• Child Benefit credits: Automatically given to the parent claiming Child Benefit for children under 12
• Carer's Credit: Caring 20+ hours/week for disabled/elderly person (must apply - not automatic!)
• Jobseeker's Allowance: Automatic credits while claiming
• Employment and Support Allowance: Automatic credits while claiming
• Universal Credit: Automatic credits for low earners

Important: Carer's Credit is NOT automatic - you must apply even if caring full-time. You don't need Carer's Allowance to get Carer's Credit.

Yes, you can defer claiming your State Pension for as long as you like:

• New State Pension: Every 9 weeks deferred = 1% permanent increase (just under 5.8% per year)
• Old State Pension: Different rates applied - check with DWP

Example: Deferring 1 year on full new State Pension adds ~£667/year for life. Deferring 2 years adds ~£1,328/year.

Deferral makes sense if: you're still working and don't need the income, you're a higher rate taxpayer now (saves 40% tax), you expect to live 15+ years after claiming.

Yes, the State Pension counts as taxable income. However, it is paid gross without tax deducted at source.

If your total income (State Pension + other income) exceeds the Personal Allowance (£12,570 in 2025/26), you will pay income tax. This is collected by:

• Adjustment of PAYE tax code on workplace pension or employment
• Self Assessment if no other PAYE income

Note: Full new State Pension (£11,502/year) is below the Personal Allowance, so State Pension alone won't incur tax unless you have other income.

The triple lock is a government guarantee that the State Pension increases each April by the highest of:

• Average earnings growth
• Inflation (CPI)
• 2.5% minimum

In April 2024, the State Pension rose by 8.5% (based on average earnings) - worth over £900/year extra. This was the largest increase in decades.

The triple lock ensures pensions keep pace with living costs and wages, protecting pensioners' purchasing power over time.