Answers · UK 2025/26
How much is the State Pension in 2026/27?
The full new State Pension for 2026/27 is £241.30 a week, which is £965.20 every four weeks and about £12,548 a year. You usually need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance for the full amount, and at least 10 years to receive any new State Pension at all.
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For 2026/27 the full new State Pension is £241.30 per week, equating to roughly £965.20 per four-weekly payment and about £12,548 across the year. The new State Pension applies to men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953; those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 receive the older basic State Pension, paid at a lower headline rate but often topped up by additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P). Your amount depends on your National Insurance record: you generally need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension and at least 10 qualifying years to get anything. Each qualifying year is built through paid or credited NI — from employment, self-employment, or credits while claiming certain benefits or caring. The triple lock determines annual increases, raising the pension by the highest of average earnings growth, CPI inflation, or 2.5%. Worked example: someone with 30 qualifying years would receive roughly 30/35 of the full amount, about £206.83 a week. You can often fill gaps by paying voluntary Class 3 contributions, which can be highly cost-effective. Note the State Pension is taxable income, though it is paid without tax deducted — if your total income exceeds the £12,570 Personal Allowance, tax is collected through PAYE on other income or via Self Assessment. Check your forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension and use the Pension calculator to plan around it.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.