For the 2025/2026 tax year, the full rate of the new State Pension is £230.25 a week, which amounts to £11,973 per year. This rate applies to those who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. However, your personal amount can differ significantly based on your National Insurance (NI) contribution history. To qualify for the full new State Pension, you generally need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions.
How your State Pension is calculated
Your State Pension amount is primarily determined by your National Insurance record. It is calculated based on the number of qualifying years you have built up over your working life.
- Qualifying years: A qualifying year is a tax year (6 April to 5 April) in which you paid or were credited with National Insurance contributions above a certain threshold. If you have between 10 and 34 qualifying years, you will receive a proportionate amount of the full pension. If you have fewer than 10 qualifying years, you generally won't receive any State Pension.
- Contracting out: If you were 'contracted out' of the Additional State Pension (also known as State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme or SERPS) before 6 April 2016, your State Pension amount might be lower. During these periods, you and your employer paid lower NI contributions, with the difference invested into a private pension. This can create a deduction from your new State Pension starting amount.
- National Insurance credits: If you are not working, you may be eligible for National Insurance credits, which can help fill gaps in your record. Credits are awarded for situations such as being a carer, receiving certain benefits, or being unemployed.
New vs. old State Pension rules
The amount of your government pension depends heavily on whether you fall under the old or new State Pension rules. The transition date was 6 April 2016, and different rules and amounts apply depending on your birth date.
- New State Pension (for those reaching pension age after April 2016): The full rate is £230.25 per week in 2025/26. This is a flat-rate system, and your entitlement is calculated based on your personal NI record only. The 35-year contribution rule applies, though previous contracted-out periods will be taken into account.
- Old Basic State Pension (for those reaching pension age before April 2016): The full rate is £176.45 per week for 2025/26. Under this system, the amount depended on a more complex set of rules, often requiring 30 qualifying years. Some individuals may also receive an Additional State Pension (SERPS), which was earned through past NI contributions.
How to boost your State Pension
If your State Pension forecast shows that you are not on track to receive the full amount, there are steps you can take to increase it. It is always wise to check your State Pension forecast first to identify any gaps in your NI record.
- Claim National Insurance credits: Many people are entitled to credits for periods they were not working but had caring responsibilities or were on certain benefits. Claiming these can fill gaps at no cost.
- Make voluntary National Insurance contributions: You may be able to pay for missing NI years to boost your pension. The current limit is to fill gaps for the previous six years, and the cost and benefit should be carefully considered.
- Defer your State Pension: Postponing your State Pension claim beyond your State Pension age can lead to higher payments later on. For every nine weeks you defer, your pension increases by 1%, which equates to about 5.8% for a full year.
Comparison of New vs. Old State Pension (2025/26 Rates)
| Feature | New State Pension (post-April 2016) | Old Basic State Pension (pre-April 2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Weekly Rate | £230.25 | £176.45 (Basic) |
| Annual Amount | £11,973 | £9,175.40 (Basic) |
| Years for Full Rate | Generally 35 qualifying years | Generally 30 qualifying years (for those reaching State Pension age post-April 2010 but pre-April 2016) |
| National Insurance Record | Personal NI record only | Based on NI record; may also include Additional State Pension |
| Contracting Out Impact | Potential deduction from starting amount | Built up additional pension privately instead |
| Inheritance | Generally not possible to inherit a partner's pension, with a few exceptions | Possible to claim on a partner's contributions in some circumstances |
How to check your State Pension forecast
To get a personalised estimate of how much government pension you will receive, use the government's official online service. Your State Pension forecast will show you how much you could get, the date you can claim, and provide a summary of your NI record. For those who prefer, it can also be requested by phone or post.
Conclusion
The full government pension in the UK is £230.25 per week for the 2025/2026 tax year for those under the new State Pension system. However, this is not a universal amount, and your personal entitlement depends on a minimum of 10 qualifying National Insurance years, with the full amount requiring 35 years for most people. For those who retired before April 2016, different rules and a lower basic rate of £176.45 apply. Understanding your National Insurance history, including any contracted-out periods, is crucial for retirement planning, and a State Pension forecast is the most accurate way to gauge your expected income. Ultimately, the State Pension provides a foundational income, but many rely on other savings and private pensions to achieve their desired retirement lifestyle.
For more detailed information, you can check your personal forecast via the official UK government website at: GOV.UK State Pension forecast.
