The State Pension is the foundation of most people's retirement income, but it is more complicated than many realise. How much you get depends on your National Insurance record, the age you can claim it is rising, and the amount changes every year. This guide explains the 2026/27 State Pension rates, who gets what, when you can claim, and how to make sure you receive everything you are owed.

The 2026/27 rates

From April 2026, the State Pension rose by 4.8% under the triple lock. The full new State Pension is now £241.30 a week, which is around £12,547 a year, for people reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. People who reached State Pension age before that date are on the older basic State Pension, the full rate of which is now £184.90 a week, or around £9,615 a year. These are the full amounts, and what you actually receive depends on your National Insurance record.

The two systems

There are two parallel State Pension systems. If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, you are on the new State Pension, a flat-rate system. If you reached it before then, you are on the older basic State Pension, which can be topped up by additional State Pension such as SERPS. Which system applies to you depends entirely on when you reached State Pension age, and you cannot move between them.

How much you will actually get

The full new State Pension requires 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits, and you need at least 10 qualifying years to get anything at all. If you have between 10 and 35 years, you get a proportion of the full amount. Gaps in your record, time spent abroad, or being contracted out in the past can all affect your figure, which is why it is important to check your own forecast rather than assuming you will get the full rate.

The triple lock

The amount rises each April under the triple lock, a government commitment that the State Pension increases by the highest of three measures: inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%. For 2026/27, earnings growth of 4.8% was the highest, so that is the increase that applied. The triple lock is a policy commitment rather than a permanent law, and there is ongoing political debate about its long-term future, but it remains in place for now.

When you can claim

State Pension age is currently 66, but it is rising to 67 in stages between 2026 and 2028, so the exact age you can claim depends on your date of birth. You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK. Importantly, the State Pension is not paid automatically; you have to claim it. You should receive an invitation letter a few months before you reach State Pension age, and you can claim online, by phone or by post.

Deferring your State Pension

You do not have to take your State Pension as soon as you reach State Pension age. If you defer, your eventual pension is increased, which can be worthwhile if you are still working or have other income and do not need it yet. Whether deferring is right for you depends on your circumstances, including your health and other income, so it is worth thinking it through or getting advice before deciding.

Tax on the State Pension

The State Pension is taxable, although tax is not taken off before you receive it. Because the full new State Pension is now close to the tax-free personal allowance, anyone with additional income on top may find more of it becomes taxable. If you have other pensions or income, it is worth understanding how this works so you are not caught out by a tax bill, and HMRC usually collects any tax due through your other income.

Check your record and forecast

The single most useful thing you can do is check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK, which shows what you are on track to receive and whether you have gaps in your National Insurance record. In some cases you can fill gaps by paying voluntary contributions, which can be very good value, but the rules are complex and there are deadlines, so check carefully and get advice before paying.

Topping up a low pension

If your State Pension is low and your income is modest, you may be able to claim Pension Credit to top it up, which also unlocks other help. Many pensioners on a small State Pension miss out on this. So if your retirement income is tight, do not just accept it; check whether Pension Credit and other benefits can boost what you receive.

National Insurance credits

You do not only build qualifying years by paying National Insurance through work. You can also get National Insurance credits in certain circumstances, for example while claiming Child Benefit for a young child, while caring for someone, or while receiving certain benefits. These credits count towards your State Pension just like paid contributions, so if you have had years out of work for caring or other reasons, you may have more qualifying years than you expect.

Filling gaps in your record

If your forecast shows gaps, you may be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill them and increase your pension. This can be excellent value, but it is not always worthwhile, and there are time limits on how far back you can go. Before paying anything, check your forecast, find out exactly how each extra year would affect your pension, and get guidance, because the rules are detailed and paying for the wrong years would waste money.

Working past State Pension age

You can carry on working after you reach State Pension age, and you can claim your State Pension at the same time as working if you wish. Once you are over State Pension age you no longer pay National Insurance on your earnings. If you do not need your pension yet, you can defer it and receive a higher amount later. Whether to take it, defer it, or keep working is a personal decision based on your income, health and plans.

If you have lived or worked abroad

Time spent living or working abroad can affect your State Pension, depending on the country and any social security agreement with the UK. In some cases, contributions made abroad can count towards your record, and you may be able to claim a pension from more than one country. The rules are complex, so if you have spent time overseas, check your forecast and get advice, as you may be entitled to more than you realise from your combined record.

In short

The State Pension is the foundation of retirement income, but the amount depends on your National Insurance record and you must claim it rather than receiving it automatically. Check your forecast, and top up a low pension with Pension Credit if you can.

Where to get help

For help understanding your State Pension, the government's Pension Service and the free, impartial guidance services can assist, and Citizens Advice and Age UK can help with related benefits. To check whether you can top up a low pension, see our guide to Pension Credit, and our guide to the Winter Fuel Payment explains help with heating costs.