The State Pension: what you'll get and how to boost it

The State Pension is the foundation of most people's retirement income, and it's more valuable than people give it credit for. An inflation-protected, guaranteed income for life — buying the equivalent privately would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

What you get

The full new State Pension is around £241 a week in 2026/27 — a little over £12,500 a year. It rises each year under the "triple lock": the highest of inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%.

You need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions (or credits) for the full amount, and at least 10 years to get anything. Qualifying years come from working, or from credits — for example while claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12, or certain benefits.

State Pension age is currently 66, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028, with a further rise to 68 planned.

Step one: get your forecast

Before doing anything else, check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK (search "check State Pension forecast"). It takes two minutes and shows what you're on track for and whether you have gaps.

If you were "contracted out" at some point (common with older workplace and public sector pensions), your forecast may be lower than the full amount even with 35 years — the forecast explains this.

Filling gaps: often a spectacular deal

If you have gaps, you can usually pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance to fill years going back six years. A full year costs somewhere around £900 and can add roughly £300 a year to your State Pension for life. If you live 20 years past State Pension age, that's around £6,000 of income for £900 — few investments come close.

Two important checks first: make sure the extra year actually increases your forecast (it doesn't always, particularly with contracted-out history), and if you're below State Pension age with years of work ahead, you may fill gaps naturally anyway. The government's Future Pension Centre can confirm before you pay.

Parents: a common and costly gap

If one parent stays home with children and doesn't claim Child Benefit (often because the other parent earns above the High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold), they can miss out on National Insurance credits without realising. You can claim Child Benefit and opt out of the payments to protect the credits — an easy fix that protects thousands of pounds of future State Pension.

This article is for general education only and isn't personal advice. Figures change each April — always check current rates on GOV.UK.