The UK State Pension is a regular payment from the government that you receive from a set age, based on your National Insurance record

The State Pension is money paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people who have reached State Pension age and have paid enough National Insurance contributions during their working life. It is not means-tested — the amount you receive depends on your contribution history, not on how much money you have or earn. Most people receive it as a weekly or monthly payment into their bank account.

There are two versions of the State Pension in the UK. New State Pension applies to anyone who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. Basic State Pension (sometimes called the old State Pension) applies to those who reached State Pension age before that date. The rules, contribution requirements, and payment amounts differ between the two.

Key Takeaways

  • State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, but it will rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028.
  • You need a minimum of 10 years of National Insurance contributions to receive any State Pension at all.
  • The full New State Pension is £221.20 per week (as of April 2024), but the amount you receive depends on your actual contribution record.
  • You do not need to claim State Pension — the DWP contacts you automatically around four months before you reach State Pension age.
  • You can delay claiming and receive a higher weekly amount later, or claim on time and receive the standard rate.

State Pension age and when you can start receiving payments

Your State Pension age is the age at which you become may have access to to claim. For people born after 5 April 1951 (men) or 6 April 1953 (women), State Pension age is currently 66. The government has already legislated to raise it to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

You cannot receive State Pension before you reach State Pension age, even if you stop working. The DWP will write to you around four months before your State Pension age to explain what to do next. You do not have to do anything if you want to claim on time — the payment will start automatically in the week after you reach State Pension age. If you want to delay your claim or have questions about your record, you can contact the Future Pension Centre.

National Insurance contributions and the 10-year minimum

To receive any State Pension, you must have at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions on your record. These are contributions made through your wages when you are employed, or paid voluntarily if you are self-employed or have gaps in your working life. Each year counts as a "may have access to year" if you have paid enough contributions or received certain benefits (such as Jobseeker's Allowance or Carer's Allowance) during that year.

If you have fewer than 10 may have access to years, you will not receive any State Pension. If you have between 10 and 30 may have access to years (for New State Pension) or between 10 and 49 years (for Basic State Pension), your payment will be reduced based on how many years you have. You can check your National Insurance record online through your personal tax account or by contacting HMRC.

How much State Pension you receive

The amount of State Pension you receive depends on which version applies to you and how many may have access to years you have on your record.

For New State Pension, the full weekly rate is £221.20 (as of April 2024). To receive the full amount, you need 35 may have access to years. If you have fewer than 35 years, your payment is reduced proportionally. For example, if you have 28 may have access to years, you would receive approximately 80% of the full rate. The minimum you can receive (if you have at least 10 may have access to years) is around £67 per week.

For Basic State Pension, the full weekly rate is £169.50 (as of April 2024). You need 30 may have access to years to receive the full amount. The payment is also reduced if you have fewer years. These rates change each April in line with inflation.

Deferring your State Pension for a higher payment

You do not have to claim State Pension when you reach State Pension age. If you continue working or simply choose to wait, you can defer your claim and receive a higher weekly amount when you do eventually claim.

For every nine weeks you defer, your State Pension increases by 1%. This means if you defer for a full year, your payment rises by around 5.8%. There is no upper age limit — you can defer for as long as you wish. However, if you die before claiming, the deferred amount is not paid to your estate, so deferral is a personal choice based on your circumstances and life expectancy.

If you are receiving Pension Credit (a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age with low income), deferring State Pension does not increase your Pension Credit payments, so deferral may not benefit you in that situation.

How to claim and what documents you need

In most cases, you do not need to do anything. The DWP will contact you automatically around four months before you reach State Pension age with a letter explaining your State Pension and how much you will receive. If you want to claim, you simply follow the instructions in that letter or contact the Future Pension Centre by phone.

You will need to provide proof of identity and your National Insurance number. If you were born outside the UK, you may need to provide proof of your right to reside in the UK. If you have lived or worked abroad, you may need to provide evidence of contributions paid in other countries — some countries have reciprocal agreements with the UK that allow contributions to count toward your State Pension.

If you do not receive a letter from the DWP, or if you want to claim before the letter arrives, you can contact the Future Pension Centre directly. Their phone number is 0800 731 0175 (free from landlines and most mobiles).

State Pension and tax, and how it affects other benefits

State Pension is taxable income. If your only income is State Pension, you will not pay tax because the amount is below the personal allowance (£12,570 for the 2024/25 tax year). However, if you have other income — such as a private pension, savings interest, or rental income — your State Pension counts toward your total taxable income.

Receiving State Pension can affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction. These benefits are based on your total income, so a higher State Pension may reduce or end your entitlement. If you receive any means-tested benefits, inform the relevant organisation when you start receiving State Pension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive State Pension if I have not worked in the UK my whole life?

Yes. You need 10 may have access to years to receive any State Pension. may have access to years include years when you paid National Insurance contributions, years when you received certain benefits, and years when you were caring for a child under 12 or a disabled person. If you have worked abroad, some countries have reciprocal agreements with the UK that allow those contributions to count.

What happens to my State Pension if I continue working after State Pension age?

You can work and receive State Pension at the same time. There is no earnings limit — you can earn as much as you wish. However, your earnings will be taxable, and your State Pension is also taxable income, so your total tax bill may increase. You do not pay National Insurance contributions on earnings after State Pension age.

Can I get a lump sum instead of weekly payments?

No. State Pension is paid weekly or monthly into your bank account. You cannot receive it as a lump sum. However, if you defer your claim, you can choose to receive the deferred amount as a lump sum when you eventually claim, though this is subject to tax rules.

What if I think my National Insurance record is wrong?

You can check your record online through your personal tax account or by contacting HMRC. If you find an error, you can ask HMRC to correct it. There are time limits for making corrections, so contact them as soon as you notice a problem. The Future Pension Centre can also help you understand your record.

Do I need to do anything to keep receiving State Pension after I start?

In most cases, no. Your State Pension will continue to be paid automatically. However, if you move abroad permanently, you must tell the DWP. If you move to certain countries, your State Pension may be frozen and not increase with inflation. If you die, your next of kin should notify the DWP so payments can stop.