At this point, everyone who qualifies for the base State Pension has attained State Pension age. You must have sufficient National Insurance qualifying years in order to receive it.
You will instead be eligible for the new State Pension if you were born on or after these dates.
Unless you postponed (deferred) your State Pension, you will have already claimed your base benefit.
Navigating the UK’s State Pension System
The State Pension is a crucial component of the UK’s retirement income system, providing financial support to individuals who have reached State Pension age. This guide delves into the eligibility requirements and payment amounts associated with the basic State Pension, offering valuable insights for those approaching retirement.
Eligibility for the Basic State Pension
To qualify for the basic State Pension, individuals must meet specific criteria related to their date of birth and National Insurance contributions.
Date of Birth Requirements:
- Men born before 6 April 1951: Eligible for the basic State Pension.
- Women born before 6 April 1953: Eligible for the basic State Pension.
- Individuals born on or after these dates: Claim the new State Pension instead.
National Insurance Contribution Requirements:
The amount of basic State Pension you receive depends on the number of National Insurance qualifying years you have accumulated.
Qualifying Years for Men:
- Born between 1945 and 1951: 30 qualifying years for the full basic State Pension, 1 qualifying year for any basic State Pension.
- Born before 1945: 44 qualifying years for the full basic State Pension, 1 qualifying year for any basic State Pension.
Qualifying Years for Women:
- Born between 1950 and 1953: 30 qualifying years for the full basic State Pension, 1 qualifying year for any basic State Pension.
- Born before 1950: 39 qualifying years for the full basic State Pension, 1 qualifying year for any basic State Pension.
Payment Amounts for the Basic State Pension
The full basic State Pension amount is currently £169.50 per week. However, the actual amount you receive may vary depending on your National Insurance record. If you have fewer qualifying years, your basic State Pension will be less than £169.50 per week.
Additional Factors Affecting Payment Amounts:
- Additional State Pension: You may receive additional payments if you are eligible for the Additional State Pension.
- Deferred State Pension: Deferring your State Pension can increase your weekly payments by 1% for every 5 weeks you defer.
- Taxation: You may have to pay tax on your State Pension.
Resources for State Pension Information:
- GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/state-pension
- Check your National Insurance record: https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
- Pension Service: https://www.gov.uk/contact-pension-service
- International Pension Centre: https://www.gov.uk/international-pensions
Understanding the eligibility requirements and payment amounts for the basic State Pension is essential for planning your retirement. By reviewing the information provided in this guide and utilizing the available resources, you can gain a clear understanding of your State Pension entitlement and make informed decisions about your retirement income.
If you’re married or in a civil partnership
If you have a spouse or civil partner, you may be eligible to receive an increase in your State Pension or inherit it.
Your State Pension may be increased if one of the following occurs:
- you’re not eligible for the basic State Pension
- your basic State Pension is less than £101.55 per week
It’s possible that your spouse or civil partner will be able to leave you a State Pension if either:
- you’re not eligible for the basic State Pension
- your basic State Pension is less than £169.50 per week
Being transgender may have an impact on your state pension if you:
- were born between 24 December 1919 and 3 April 1945
- have claimed State Pension before 4 April 2005
- can substantiate that the surgery you had to change your gender occurred prior to April 4, 2005.
If you legally changed your gender and began receiving State Pension benefits on or after April 4, 2005, you will already be receiving benefits based on your legal gender, so there is nothing further you need to do.
Number of qualifying years you need
Your situation will determine how many years of National Insurance qualifying you need to receive a basic State Pension.
If you’re a man you usually need:
- If you were born between 1945 and 1951, you have one qualifying year.
- 11 qualifying years if you were born before 1945
If you’re a woman you usually need:
- if you were born between 1950 and 1953, one qualifying year
- 10 qualifying years if were born before 1950
Even with fewer qualifying years, you may still be qualified. If you reside overseas, get in touch with the International Pension Center or the Pension Service to find out.
The amount of your State Pension depends on the number of years you met the eligibility requirements for National Insurance contributions.
Will you get full UK state pension?
FAQ
Is there a minimum pension in UK?
How many years do I need to work to get full State Pension in UK?
Do you get a State Pension in the UK if you have never worked?
Are all UK citizens eligible for State Pension?
How much pension will I get UK?
The full basic State Pension is £141.85 per week. You may have to pay tax on your State Pension. You usually need a total of 30 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits to get the full basic State Pension. If you have fewer than 30 qualifying years, your basic State Pension will be less than £141.85 per week.
How much is the full state pension?
The full rate of the new State Pension will be £179.60 per week (in 2021/22) but what you will get could be more or less, depending on your National Insurance (NI) record. You can check your how much State Pension you could get on the government website or, you can request a paper statement if you prefer. How is my pension amount worked out?
What is the basic state pension?
The basic State Pension is usually paid every 4 weeks into an account of your choice. You’re paid ‘in arrears’, which means you’re paid for the last 4 weeks, not for the coming 4 weeks. There are different rules if you live abroad. The basic State Pension increases every year by whichever is the highest of the following:
What is the pension rate in the UK?
The basic State Pension (alongside the Graduated Retirement Benefit, the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme, and the State Second Pension) is payable to men born before 6 April 1951, and to women born before 6 April 1953. The maximum amount payable is £137.60 a week (12 April 2021 – 10 April 2022).