State Pension

Changes were introduced in 2016 to simplify the State Pension. There are currently two systems in place – the new State Pension and the basic State Pension. Which one you’ll claim depends on when you reach your State Pension age.

You can claim the new State Pension if you’re:

• a woman born on or after 6 April 1953
• a man born on or after 6 April 1951.

You can claim the basic State Pension if you’re:

• a woman born before 6 April 1953
• a man born before 6 April 1951.

You can choose to delay (defer) your State Pension. When you do claim it, you’ll still get it under the system you qualify for based on your age.

You can get the basic State Pension if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. This means you’re:

• a woman born before 6 April 1953
• a man born before 6 April 1951.

The full rate for basic State Pension is £156.20 a week for 2023/24. But the exact amount you’ll get could be more or less than this.

• You need 30 qualifying years of NI contributions to get a full basic State Pension. 
• If you have less than this, you’ll get a reduced basic Pension rate. This is 1/30th for each qualifying year you do have. So, if you had 20 qualifying years of NI contributions, you’d get 20/30ths of the full pension amount.
• You’ll usually need at least one year to get any basic State Pension.

If you qualify for Additional State Pension, it will be automatically added to your basic State Pension – unless you were contracted out.

You might be able to ‘top up’ your pension by using your spouse or civil partner’s NI contributions, if you’re not able to get a basic State Pension. You won’t be able to do this if you were self-employed. You should get this increase automatically. If you do not, but you think you qualify, contact the Pension Service.

You need to make a claim for your pension – you won’t get it automatically.

You should be contacted about three months before you reach State Pension age. If you haven’t been contacted by two months before, contact the Pension Service.
There are four ways to claim:

• online
• by calling the State Pension claim line on 0800 731 7898
• by post – send a completed State Pension claim form to your local pension centre. Download a form to print at home or ask for one by calling the claim line
• by contacting the International Pension Centre if you’re claiming from abroad.

Delaying your State Pension
You can also delay (defer) claiming your State Pension. For each year you delay, your State Pension will be boosted by around 5% under the new State Pension, or around 10% under the basic State Pension.

You do not have to do anything – simply delay claiming your pension. 

If you’re getting certain benefits, you won’t be able to get any extra State Pension by delaying your claim. It could also affect your entitlement to some benefits. Visit Gov.uk for more information.

If you qualify for basic State Pension and can claim State Pension ‘top-ups’, these are usually calculated for you. However, some people – particularly women who paid reduced NI rates – may have had their State Pension miscalculated and underpaid.

If you think you’re affected by this, contact the Pension Service to ask them to recalculate your State Pension. You can do this whether you’re claiming or delaying your State Pension. You can also contact our Helpline to arrange to speak to an adviser.