State Pension Calculator
Estimate your state pension entitlement based on qualifying National Insurance years and the current new state pension rate.
How State Pension Calculator works
New state pension (post-April 2016)
The full new state pension is £221.20/week (£11,502.40/year) for 2025-26. 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 £17.45/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.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the state pension in 2025-26?
The full new state pension is £221.20 per week (£11,502.40 per year) for 2025-26. 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 (£17.45/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.
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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.