State Pension Calculator
Estimate your UK State Pension based on your National Insurance record. Find out when you'll reach State Pension age and how much you could receive.
Your Details
You are currently 40 years old
Check your NI record at gov.uk
Used for life expectancy estimates
How to check your NI record:
- Go to gov.uk/check-state-pension
- Sign in with Government Gateway
- View your qualifying years
Your State Pension Estimate
Estimated State Pension
£6,573/year
£126 per week
State Pension Age
67
27 years away
Percentage of Full Pension
57%
20 of 35 years
You need 15 more years for full pension
You have time to build up more qualifying years before pension age
Payment Details
NI Qualifying Years Progress
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This is an estimate based on the current State Pension. Rates are reviewed annually and may change. For an accurate forecast, check gov.uk/check-state-pension
How to Use This State Pension Calculator
This UK State Pension calculator helps you estimate how much State Pension you could receive based on your National Insurance record. Follow these steps to get your personalised estimate:
Enter Your Year of Birth
This determines your State Pension age. The age varies depending on when you were born, and is currently being phased from 66 to 67 for those born between 1960 and 1961.
Enter Your NI Qualifying Years
Input the number of qualifying years on your National Insurance record. You can find this by checking your NI record at gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record. Each complete year of work or credits counts towards your State Pension.
Select Your Gender
This is used to provide relevant life expectancy information for your planning. Women statistically live longer, which affects how long you might receive the State Pension.
Review Your Results
The calculator shows your estimated weekly, monthly, and annual State Pension, plus what percentage of the full pension you qualify for based on your NI record.
Understanding the UK State Pension
The UK State Pension is a regular payment from the government that most people can claim when they reach State Pension age. It is based on your National Insurance contributions record and provides a foundation for retirement income.
The New State Pension
The new State Pension was introduced on 6 April 2016 for people reaching State Pension age on or after that date. For the 2024/25 tax year, the full new State Pension is £221.20 per week, which equates to approximately £11,502 per year.
To receive the full new State Pension, you need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits. If you have between 10 and 35 qualifying years, you receive a proportionate amount. With fewer than 10 qualifying years, you do not qualify for any new State Pension.
What Counts as a Qualifying Year?
A qualifying year is a tax year (April to April) where you have either paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions. You build up qualifying years through:
- Working and paying NI contributions (employed or self-employed)
- Receiving National Insurance credits (e.g., claiming certain benefits, being registered as a carer)
- Paying voluntary National Insurance contributions
State Pension Age
State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It has been gradually increasing and will continue to rise:
- Currently 66 for most people
- Rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028
- Planned increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046 (under review - may happen sooner)
You can check your personal State Pension age at gov.uk/state-pension-age. Unlike private pensions, you cannot access your State Pension early.
The Triple Lock
The State Pension is currently protected by the triple lock, which means it increases each April by the highest of three measures: inflation (CPI), average earnings growth, or 2.5%. This helps ensure the State Pension maintains its value over time, though future governments could change this policy.
Claiming Your State Pension
The State Pension is not paid automatically - you must claim it. You will receive a letter no later than two months before you reach State Pension age inviting you to claim. You can claim online, by phone, or by post. You can also choose to defer your State Pension, which increases your payments when you do start claiming.
Key Factors That Affect Your State Pension
Understanding what influences your State Pension amount helps you take action to maximise your entitlement:
National Insurance Qualifying Years
The most important factor is your NI record. Each qualifying year adds roughly 1/35th to your pension if you have less than 35 years. Check your NI record regularly to identify and fill any gaps.
Gaps in Your NI Record
Periods of unemployment, low earnings, or living abroad can create gaps in your NI record. Some gaps can be filled by paying voluntary NI contributions, but there are time limits on how far back you can pay.
National Insurance Credits
You may receive NI credits automatically for periods of claiming certain benefits (Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance), caring for a child under 12, or being a registered carer. These count towards your qualifying years without you paying contributions.
Contracted Out History
If you were contracted out of the additional State Pension through a workplace pension scheme before 2016, this affects your starting amount for the new State Pension. You may have built up rights in your workplace pension instead.
Time Until State Pension Age
The number of years until you reach State Pension age determines how many more qualifying years you can potentially build up. If you are short of the 35 years needed, you may still have time to reach the full amount.
Deferring Your State Pension
If you delay claiming your State Pension, it increases by approximately 5.8% for each full year you defer. This can be valuable if you are still working or have other income sources.
Tips to Maximise Your State Pension
Check Your National Insurance Record
The most important step is to check your NI record at gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record. This shows how many qualifying years you have and identifies any gaps. You can also see your State Pension forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension.
Fill Gaps with Voluntary Contributions
If you have gaps in your NI record, you may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions to fill them. Currently, you can usually fill gaps from the past 6 years. The cost is £17.45 per week for 2024/25, but paying can add significant value to your pension over your retirement.
Claim Credits You Are Entitled To
Make sure you are receiving all the NI credits you are entitled to. Parents and carers should check they are receiving credits. Grandparents providing childcare can receive Specified Adult Childcare Credits transferred from a working parent. Check gov.uk for eligibility.
Consider Deferring If You Do Not Need the Money Immediately
If you are still working at State Pension age or have other income, deferring your State Pension increases it by around 5.8% per year. However, this only makes financial sense if you expect to live long enough to benefit - typically around 17-20 years of payments to break even.
Keep Working If You Are Close to 35 Years
If you are approaching State Pension age but have not yet built up 35 qualifying years, consider continuing to work until you reach the full entitlement. Each additional year can add approximately £329 to your annual State Pension.
Do Not Rely on State Pension Alone
Even the full State Pension (around £11,500 per year) is modest for most people retirement needs. Aim to build up private pension savings alongside your State Pension entitlement to ensure a comfortable retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits to receive the full new State Pension. If you have between 10 and 35 years, you receive a proportionate amount. With fewer than 10 qualifying years, you do not qualify for any new State Pension. Each qualifying year above 10 adds roughly 1/35th (approximately £329 per year at current rates) to your State Pension.
You may still qualify for State Pension even if you have not been employed. National Insurance credits are awarded for certain activities like caring for children under 12, caring for someone with a disability, receiving certain benefits, or being registered unemployed. If you have at least 10 qualifying years from credits, you will receive some State Pension. Check your NI record to see what credits you have accumulated.
State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. It is due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 for people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1961. A further increase to 68 is planned, though the exact timing is under review. You can check your personal State Pension age at gov.uk/state-pension-age. Unlike workplace pensions, you cannot access State Pension early.
Yes, you can claim UK State Pension from anywhere in the world. However, your pension is only increased each year if you live in the UK, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or a country with a social security agreement with the UK that includes pension uprating. In many countries, your State Pension is frozen at the rate when you left or first claimed.
This depends on your circumstances. If paying voluntary contributions would give you additional qualifying years towards the 35 needed for the full State Pension, it is often excellent value. The current cost of £17.45 per week (about £900 per year) adds approximately £329 per year to your State Pension for life. If you live an average lifespan, this could return over £6,000 from a single year investment. However, if you already have 35 qualifying years or will reach them through normal working, additional contributions add no value.