About Pensions

The State Pension

The State Pension is a regular income paid by the UK Government to people who have reached State Pension age. In this section we explain various aspects of the State Pension and how NI contributions work - and we introduce the changes that are happening. Below are the links that you might find useful when thinking about your State Pension.

How does it work?

What you might get

Claiming State Pension

How is it paid?

Putting off your State Pension

Know your State Pension age

Get a forecast

Women and the State Pension

State Pension and divorce/ dissolution

Death benefits

Living overseas

Voluntary NI contributions

Pensions credit

NI credits

Other State benefits

State Pension reforms

The Pension Service

The State Pension is intended to ensure that everyone has a foundation for their retirement income to support them in their old age. State Pensions are funded from National Insurance (NI) contributions. What you'll receive doesn’t directly depend on how much you have earned but on your own NI record. For those who enter the National Insurance system on or after 6 April 2016, in order to get the full State Pension you currently need to have 35 years’ worth of qualifying NI contributions or credits when you reach State Pension Age (SPA). For those who have an NI record before 6 April 2016, there are transitional arrangements.

More than a free bus pass...

Regardless of your other pension arrangements, you should receive a State Pension when you reach state retirement age. Here's how the system works today - and how it's changing.