State Pension
How your State Pension fits with your other pension pots
For most people, the State Pension is the foundation of retirement income. Knowing what you'll get, and when, makes it much easier to plan the rest.
How much is it?
The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in the 2026/27 tax year, about £12,550 a year. It normally rises each April.
What you get depends on your National Insurance record. You usually need 35 qualifying years for the full amount and at least 10 years to get anything. If you reached State Pension age before April 2016, you'll be on the older basic State Pension rules instead.
When can you get it?
State Pension age is currently 66. It's rising to 67 for people born on or after 6 April 1960, with the change phasing in between 2026 and 2028. A further rise to 68 is planned for later. You can check your exact date on GOV.UK.
It isn't paid automatically. You'll get a letter a few months before you reach State Pension age explaining how to claim.
Check your forecast
You can get a free State Pension forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension. It shows how much you're on track for and whether there are gaps in your National Insurance record. In some cases you can fill gaps by paying voluntary contributions. Check whether it would actually increase your pension before you pay.
How it's taxed
The State Pension counts as taxable income, but it's paid without tax taken off. The full new State Pension uses up almost all of the £12,570 Personal Allowance. That means most income from other pensions on top of it will be taxed.
HMRC usually collects the tax through the tax code on your workplace or personal pension. If the State Pension is your only income and it's above your allowance, HMRC will contact you.
Fitting it together with your other pensions
- Bridging the gap. If you stop work before State Pension age, you might draw more from your own pensions at first, then less once the State Pension starts.
- Deferring. If you don't need it straight away, putting off your claim increases it by 1% for every 9 weeks you defer, about 5.8% a year.
- Covering essentials. Some people aim to cover essential bills with secure income, such as the State Pension, a defined benefit pension or an annuity, and use drawdown for everything else.
- Tracing old pots. If you've lost track of an old workplace pension, the free Pension Tracing Service can help.
This guide is general information, not advice. Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year and can change. An FCA-regulated adviser can help you work out how your State Pension and other pensions fit together for you.
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