State Pension Calculator
Estimate your state pension entitlement based on qualifying National Insurance years and the current new state pension rate.
Reviewed by Richard Ross · Last updated April 2026
How State Pension Calculator works
New state pension (post-April 2016)
The full new state pension is £241.30/week (£12,547.60/year) for 2026-27. You receive 1/35th of the full amount for each qualifying year. Minimum 10 qualifying years needed for any state pension. Maximum: 35 years for the full amount.
State pension age
State pension age is currently 66 for men and women. It rises to 67 between 2026 and 2028. A further increase to 68 is legislated for 2046. Check your individual state pension age at gov.uk.
Qualifying NI years
A qualifying year counts if you: paid enough NI contributions (Class 1, 2, or 3), were credited with NI (e.g., claiming benefits, being a carer), or were self-employed and paid Class 2/4 NI. Gaps in NI can be filled by paying voluntary Class 3 NI (currently £18.40/week for 2025-26).
Deferring state pension
You can defer taking your state pension. For every 9 weeks deferred, your weekly pension increases by 1% (approximately 5.8% per year). If you continue working past state pension age, you do not have to take it immediately.
The triple lock and future uprating
The state pension is protected by the triple lock, which guarantees it rises each April by the highest of: earnings growth, CPI inflation, or 2.5%. For 2025-26, the state pension rose by 4.1% in line with average earnings growth. The triple lock means the state pension has increased significantly in real terms over the past decade, though its long-term continuation is subject to political review.
State pension for carers and those with NI gaps
Parents and carers receiving Child Benefit (for children under 12) automatically receive NI credits, protecting their state pension. Those with NI gaps have a limited window to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions — HMRC extended the deadline for filling gaps back to 2006 through April 2025. Each qualifying year is worth approximately £6.17/week (£320/year) of additional state pension for life, making voluntary contributions potentially very cost-effective at £18.40/week.
Source: GOV.UK — State pension rates (gov.uk/state-pension). GOV.UK — Check your State Pension forecast (gov.uk/check-state-pension). GOV.UK — Pay voluntary Class 3 NI contributions (gov.uk).
Frequently asked questions
How much is the state pension in 2026-27?
The full new state pension is £241.30 per week (£12,547.60 per year) for 2026-27. This applies to people who reached state pension age after April 2016.
How many NI years do I need for a full state pension?
You need 35 qualifying NI years for the full new state pension. You need at least 10 years for any state pension. With fewer than 10 qualifying years, you receive nothing.
Can I check my state pension forecast?
Yes. You can get a state pension forecast on the gov.uk website: "Check your State Pension forecast". This shows your estimated state pension and NI record.
What happens if I have NI gaps?
You can pay voluntary Class 3 NI contributions (£18.40/week for 2025-26) to fill gaps in your NI record. This can be very valuable — each qualifying year adds approximately £6.17/week (£320/year) to your state pension for life.
Does taking early retirement affect my state pension?
Retiring early does not directly reduce your state pension entitlement — what matters is the number of qualifying NI years you have built up. However, stopping work means you stop accruing new qualifying years. If you have fewer than 35 years by state pension age, you receive a reduced amount. You can fill gaps voluntarily at £18.40/week.
Can I get the state pension if I live abroad?
Yes. UK state pension is paid to people living overseas. However, the triple lock uprating only applies if you live in the UK, the EEA, Switzerland, or a country with a reciprocal social security agreement. If you retire to countries such as Australia or Canada, your state pension may be frozen at the rate when you first claimed it.
Can I claim the State Pension if I have lived abroad?
Yes, if you have made enough NI contributions in the UK. You can claim the UK State Pension anywhere in the world. However, the annual uprating (triple lock) only applies if you live in the UK, EU, EEA, Switzerland, or a country with a reciprocal social security agreement. In other countries, your pension is frozen at the level it was when you left or first claimed.
Does working past State Pension age increase my State Pension?
You can defer claiming your State Pension and receive a higher amount when you do claim. Deferring for one year increases your State Pension by about 5.8% (approximately £13.36/week on the full rate). You can defer for as long as you like. You also stop being eligible for the State Pension boost once you claim it, so deferring is worth considering if you are still earning.
What is the NI record and how do I check mine?
Your NI record shows the years in which you made qualifying contributions — either through employment, self-employment, or NI credits (for periods of unemployment, caring, or illness). You need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension and a minimum of 10 years to receive any pension. Check your record and State Pension forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension. Gaps can sometimes be filled by paying voluntary Class 3 NI contributions (£18.40/week in 2025–26).
How does the State Pension triple lock work?
The triple lock guarantees that the State Pension rises each April by whichever is highest: earnings growth, CPI inflation, or 2.5%. It was introduced in 2010 to protect pensioners from falling living standards. The full new State Pension is £230.25/week in 2025–26. The triple lock has been politically controversial — there have been discussions about replacing it with a double lock (earnings or inflation), but it remains in force for 2026–27.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised pension or financial advice. Speak to a regulated financial adviser before making pension decisions.