Last checked against gov.uk: 1 October 2026. Information only, not financial advice.
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Full State Pension 2026/27: how much it is and who gets it

The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in 2026/27, £12,547.60 a year. What full means, why most people get less, and the basic State Pension figures.

By Christopher Fagan. Published 1 October 2026. Checked against gov.uk 1 October 2026.

From 6 April 2026 the full new State Pension is £241.30 a week, which is £12,547.60 a year. That is a 4.8% rise on the 2025/26 rate of £230.25, set by the earnings part of the triple lock.

Two different pensions

Which one you are on depends on when you reached State Pension age.

What "full" means

Full new State Pension needs 35 qualifying years of National Insurance. Each year is worth roughly 1/35th of the full rate, about £6.89 a week. You need at least 10 years to get anything. Years count if you paid NI through work, or were credited with it, for example while claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12, caring, or on certain benefits.

Most people do not get exactly the full amount. If you were contracted out of the additional State Pension before 2016 (common in public sector and older company schemes) your starting amount was reduced, because you paid lower NI in return for a bigger workplace pension. Some people get more than the full rate because of additional State Pension built up before 2016.

Pension Credit 2026/27

Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £238.00 for a single person and £363.25 for a couple. It also opens the door to other help, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax reductions and, for over 75s, a free TV licence. Around a third of people entitled to it do not claim.

How to see your own figure

Your State Pension forecast shows what you are on track to get and how many years you have. Our check and trace guide explains how to read it.

Sources

Information only, not financial advice. If a figure here and gov.uk ever disagree, gov.uk is right and we will fix it.

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Talk to a regulated adviser

Decisions about when to take your pension, topping up National Insurance years, or combining pots can be worth thousands either way. A regulated financial adviser (FCA registered) can look at your actual numbers. We may earn a referral fee if you use a partner service; it never changes what we publish.

Links to partners will appear here once agreements are in place. Until then: Pension Tracing Service (gov.uk) and check an adviser on the FCA register.