The current state pension rate

The UK state pension pays £221.80 per week if you reached state pension age on or after 6 April 2023. If you reached state pension age before that date, you may receive less — the older scheme paid a basic pension of £141.85 per week plus an additional pension on top, depending on your National Insurance record.

These amounts change each April. The government sets the new rate using the "triple lock" — the state pension rises by whichever is highest: inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5 per cent. This means the weekly amount you receive will increase each year, though the exact figure depends on economic conditions.

The rate you receive depends on when you reached state pension age and which pension scheme you fall under. Most people who reach state pension age from April 2016 onwards are under the new state pension system and receive the single weekly rate. Those who reached it before April 2016 remain on the older system, which works differently.

Key Takeaways

  • The new state pension pays £221.80 per week as of April 2024, but this amount changes each April based on inflation and earnings.
  • You only receive the full amount if you have 35 years of National Insurance contributions; fewer years means a lower pension.
  • You can check your own state pension forecast by creating a Government Gateway account and viewing your National Insurance record online.
  • The state pension is not means-tested, so you receive it regardless of other income or savings you have.
  • You can choose to delay claiming your state pension and receive a higher amount later, though the increase is modest.

How your National Insurance record affects the amount

The state pension is not a flat payment to everyone. Your weekly amount depends on how many years you have paid National Insurance contributions or been credited with them. You need 35 years of contributions to receive the full new state pension of £221.80 per week.

If you have fewer than 35 years, your pension is reduced proportionally. For example, if you have 28 years of contributions, you would receive 28/35 of the full amount. You must have at least 10 years of contributions to receive any state pension at all.

Years can count toward your record in several ways: through paid employment, self-employment, or through credits. Credits are given during periods when you could not work — for example, while you were unemployed and claiming benefits, caring for children under 12, or unable to work due to illness. The government website allows you to view your National Insurance record and see exactly how many may have access to years you have.

State pension under the older system

If you reached state pension age before 6 April 2016, you are on the older state pension system. This works differently from the new scheme and usually pays less in total, though the structure is more complex.

Under the old system, you receive a basic state pension (£141.85 per week as of April 2024) plus an additional pension that depends on your earnings history. The additional pension is calculated from your National Insurance contributions between 1978 and your state pension age. Some people also have a graduated pension from contributions made between 1961 and 1975.

If you are on the older system, your total state pension is the sum of these parts. You can view a breakdown of what you are may have access to to by checking your state pension forecast online or by contacting the Pension Service.

Deferring your state pension for a higher amount

You do not have to claim your state pension as soon as you reach state pension age. If you defer — delay claiming — you receive a higher weekly amount when you eventually do claim.

For every nine weeks you defer, your pension increases by 1 per cent. This means if you defer for a full year, your pension rises by roughly 5.8 per cent. There is no upper limit on how long you can defer, though the increase becomes worthwhile only if you expect to live long enough to recoup the pension you gave up by not claiming earlier.

Deferring is a personal decision that depends on your circumstances. If you have other income and do not need the state pension immediately, deferring can increase your long-term income. If you need the money now or have health reasons to expect a shorter life, claiming at state pension age is usually the better choice.

How the state pension compares to other income

The state pension is your foundation income in retirement, but for most people it is not enough to live on alone. The current full rate of £221.80 per week is roughly £11,500 per year. Many people combine the state pension with occupational pensions from former employers, personal pensions they have saved into, or other income sources.

The state pension is not means-tested, which means you receive it regardless of how much money you have in savings or other income. This is different from some other benefits, which reduce or stop if your income or capital exceeds certain thresholds. You can receive the state pension and still work, and you can receive it alongside a private pension without any reduction.

If your total income in retirement is low, you may be may have access to to Pension Credit, which tops up your income to a may provide minimum level. Pension Credit is means-tested and depends on your age, income, and savings, but it can significantly increase your weekly income if you may have access to.

When you can claim and how to start

You can claim your state pension from the date you reach state pension age. State pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, though it is gradually increasing and will reach 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.

You do not need to do anything to claim — the Department for Work and Pensions contacts you automatically about four months before you reach state pension age. They send you a letter with information about your state pension and how to claim. You can claim online, by phone, or by post using the forms they provide.

Before you claim, you can check your state pension forecast online using your Government Gateway account. This shows you an estimate of what you will receive based on your current National Insurance record. The forecast updates regularly and helps you plan your retirement income.

State pension if you have worked abroad

If you have worked in another country, those years may count toward your UK state pension depending on the country and the social security agreement in place. The UK has agreements with many countries that allow contributions to be counted toward state pension entitlement.

You should tell the Pension Service about any periods you worked abroad. They can check whether those years count and adjust your pension accordingly. If you have lived or worked in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, your contributions usually count. For other countries, it depends on whether a bilateral agreement exists.

If you have worked in multiple countries, you may be may have access to to pensions from more than one country. Each country pays its own state pension based on your contributions there. The UK state pension is calculated only on your UK contributions, but you can receive pensions from other countries at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my state pension if I continue working after state pension age?

You can work and receive your state pension at the same time with no reduction. Your state pension is not affected by how much you earn. However, you may pay income tax on your combined earnings and pension if your total income exceeds the tax-free allowance.

Can I get a higher state pension if I have gaps in my National Insurance record?

You can fill gaps in your record by paying voluntary National Insurance contributions, but only for the past six years. If you have gaps from more than six years ago, you cannot fill them. Paying voluntary contributions costs money and may not increase your pension enough to be worthwhile — check your forecast first to see the impact.

Is the state pension paid weekly or monthly?

The state pension is usually paid every four weeks into your bank account. You can request weekly payments instead, though this is less common. The amount remains the same regardless of payment frequency — it is just divided differently across the year.

What happens to my state pension if I move abroad?

You can receive your UK state pension while living abroad in most countries. However, if you move to a country with which the UK has no social security agreement, your pension may freeze at the rate you were receiving when you left the UK and will not increase with the annual uprating. Check with the International Pension Service before you move to understand how it affects you.

Can I receive state pension and Pension Credit at the same time?

Yes. If your state pension is below the Pension Credit threshold, you can claim Pension Credit to top up your income. Pension Credit is means-tested based on your age, income, and savings, but it can add significantly to your weekly income if you may have access to.