Answers · UK 2025/26
Should I defer claiming my UK State Pension?
Each 9 weeks of deferral increases your State Pension by 1% (about 5.8% per year) for life. Worth it if you're working past State Pension Age, don't need the money yet, or expect to live another 20+ years.
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UK State Pension deferral 2025/26. New State Pension (from 6 April 2016): 1% increase per 9 weeks deferred = ~5.8%/year, paid for life. No lump-sum option for new State Pension. Old basic State Pension (pre-2016) different rules — lump-sum option available. Break-even maths: 5.8% means recovery in ~17 years of higher payments. Worth deferring if expected to live to 83+. Tax: deferred amount paid alongside other income — could push to higher band. Bereavement: deferred increase doesn't typically pass to surviving spouse. Forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension.
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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.