UK State Pension, Pension Credit and Workplace Pensions — Full Guide

The State Pension is a regular payment from the government that you receive once you reach State Pension age. It is based on your National Insurance record — that is, the years you have worked and paid National Insurance contributions, received National Insurance credits (for example while unemployed, ill, or caring for a child), or paid voluntary contributions. This guide covers the UK State Pension (the statutory, government pension) in detail, with general information only on private and workplace pensions.

What is the full State Pension amount?

The full rate of the new State Pension is £241.30 per week (from April 2026). This is the maximum you can get if you have a complete National Insurance record. The actual amount you receive depends on how many qualifying years you have and whether you were 'contracted out' of the State Pension before 2016 (for example through a workplace pension). The State Pension increases every year under the 'triple lock' — by whichever is highest: average wage growth, inflation (CPI), or 2.5%.

How many years do you need to qualify?

You need at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any new State Pension. To get the full amount, you usually need 35 qualifying years (if your National Insurance record started after April 2016). If you were contracted out before 2016, you may need more than 35 years to reach the full amount. If you have between 10 and 35 years, you will receive a proportionate (partial) amount — roughly one thirty-fifth of the full rate for each qualifying year.

How is the State Pension calculated in simple terms?

Think of it as a jar of 35 slices. Each qualifying year on your National Insurance record adds one slice. With 10 slices you get the minimum (about 10/35ths of the full amount). With 35 slices you get the full amount. The government looks at your National Insurance record when you reach State Pension age and works out how many qualifying years you have. You can check your personal forecast and your National Insurance record online (see the links below).

What is the State Pension age?

State Pension age is currently 66. It is rising to 67 for anyone born after 5 April 1960 (the change happens between 2026 and 2028). It is due to rise to 68 in the future. You do not have to stop working when you reach State Pension age, and you can delay (defer) claiming it to get a higher weekly amount later. Check your exact State Pension age on GOV.UK.

Can EU citizens keep their pension from EU countries?

Yes. If you have lived or worked in the European Economic Area (EEA — all EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland, time spent paying state pension contributions in those countries can be added to your UK National Insurance record to help you reach the 10-year minimum. If you have 10 or more years in total (UK plus EEA/Switzerland), you can get the UK new State Pension — but the amount paid is based only on the qualifying years built up in the UK. You can also claim a state pension from the EU country or countries you worked in, under their own rules. The UK has social security agreements with many countries, so you will not lose pension you have built up. If you retire abroad, you can still receive your UK State Pension overseas, and it may be increased each year depending on the country you live in. Contact the International Pension Centre for help with claims involving more than one country.

Pension Credit — full information

Pension Credit is extra money to help with your living costs if you are over State Pension age and on a low income. It is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings, or own your own home. It has two parts: Guarantee Credit, which tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum, and Savings Credit, which is an extra payment for some people who saved towards their retirement. You may get more if you are a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

Getting Pension Credit can also open the door to other help, including Housing Benefit (if you rent), a Council Tax Reduction, Support for Mortgage Interest (if you own your home), Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence if you are 75 or over, help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and hospital travel costs, and the Warm Home Discount on heating. Many people who are entitled to Pension Credit do not claim it — it is worth checking even if you own your home or have some savings.

Private and workplace pensions — general information only

A workplace pension is a retirement savings scheme arranged by your employer. A percentage of your pay goes into the scheme automatically each payday, your employer also pays in, and you get tax relief from the government. A private (personal) pension is one you set up yourself, for example a stakeholder or self-invested personal pension (SIPP). These are separate from the State Pension and the amount you get depends on how much was paid in and how the investments performed. For detailed, personal advice on private and workplace pensions, speak to a financial adviser (you can find one through Unbiased or MoneyHelper).

Employer obligation to pay into a pension scheme

By law, most employers must automatically enrol eligible workers into a workplace pension scheme and pay into it. This is called 'automatic enrolment'. The minimum total contribution is 8% of your qualifying earnings, made up of at least 3% from your employer and 5% from you (your share usually includes tax relief). Your employer must also make a contribution if you are in the scheme and earn above a certain amount. You can choose to pay in more, and your employer may pay in more than the minimum.

How to find out about your workplace pension

Ask your employer or HR department for the name of your pension scheme and how much is being paid in. You can also check your payslip — pension contributions are usually shown separately. If you have lost track of an old workplace pension, use the GOV.UK 'Find pension contact details' service (link below) or the Pension Tracing Service. You can check your State Pension forecast and National Insurance record on GOV.UK at any time to see what you are on track to receive.

Official links — GOV.UK

The new State Pension (overview and eligibility): https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension

What you will get (full amount and calculation): https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/what-youll-get

Check your State Pension forecast: https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

State Pension age: https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age

If you have lived or worked abroad (EEA, EU and other countries): https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/living-and-working-overseas

State Pension if you retire abroad: https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad

Pension Credit (overview and how to claim): https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit

Workplace pensions: https://www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions

What you, your employer and the government pay: https://www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions/what-you-your-employer-and-the-government-pay

Find pension contact details (lost pensions): https://www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details

International Pension Centre: https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre

Official links — Citizens Advice

Pensions overview (types of pensions, starting a pension, retirement): https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/pensions/

This information is for guidance only and is based on GOV.UK and Citizens Advice. For full and up-to-date details, always check the official pages linked above. For personal advice about your own pension, contact the Pension Service, the International Pension Centre, or a financial adviser.