Frequently asked questions
How much State Pension will I get?
Up to £241.30 per week (£12,547.60 per year) if you have 35 qualifying years and were never contracted out. With fewer years it is pro-rata; below 10 years you get nothing.
When will I reach State Pension Age?
SPA is currently 66, rising to 67 between 6 May 2026 and 6 March 2028 for those born 6 April 1960 to 5 April 1962. SPA 68 currently applies from 2044 to 2046 under the current timetable.
Why is my forecast lower than £241.30?
Usually contracted-out years between 1978 and April 2016, which reduce your starting amount via the COPE deduction. Other reasons include fewer than 35 qualifying years and post-2016 gaps you have not yet filled.
Should I buy back voluntary NI?
If the years lift your forecast and you expect to live 3+ years past SPA, yes. Class 3 costs £923 per year added and adds about £6.89 per week. Payback is around 2.6 years.
Is the State Pension taxed?
Yes, the State Pension is taxable income. It is paid gross; tax is collected via PAYE on other income or via Simple Assessment. The £12,570 personal allowance is frozen to April 2028.
Can I defer the State Pension?
Yes. Under the new scheme, deferring adds 1% to your weekly amount per 9 weeks deferred (~5.8% per year). The break-even point is roughly 17 years after claiming.
What is the triple lock?
An uprating mechanism that lifts State Pension by the highest of CPI inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%. The April 2026 uprating applied 4.8% via the earnings link.
How do I claim my State Pension?
The DWP sends an invitation around 4 months before SPA. You can claim online at gov.uk/claim-state-pension-online or by phone. If you do nothing, you are treated as deferring.
What is Pension Credit?
A means-tested top-up that brings your weekly income up to £227.10 (single) or £346.60 (couple) in 2026/27. Even £1/wk passports you into other benefits.
Does the State Pension keep up with inflation?
Usually yes, via the triple lock. The mechanism guarantees at least 2.5% even if CPI and earnings are below it. Both major UK parties have flagged the lock for periodic review.
Still stuck? Try the calculator, the method page, or the recent changes log1.