How much is the State Pension?
The full new State Pension in 2026/27 is £241.30 a week, £12,547.60 a year. That rate is for people who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 and have 35 qualifying years.
Key takeaways
- The full new rate is £241.30 a week from 6 April 2026. That is £12,547.60 over 52 weeks.
- Fewer than 10 qualifying years means no new State Pension under this estimate. 35 years reaches the full rate.
- Each year from 10 to 35 is worth £6.89 a week, one thirty-fifth of the full rate.
- The full basic State Pension, for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, is £184.90 a week.
- On its own, the full new annual amount sits under the £12,570.00 Personal Allowance. Other income can still make it taxable.
- A starting amount or contracted-out deduction can put the official forecast under this flat scale. This page does not rebuild that figure.
The full new rate
People who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 are on the new State Pension. In 2026/27 the full rate is £241.30 a week, updated 6 April 2026. Over 52 weeks that is £12,547.60.
The rate rose 4.8% from £230.25 a week in 2025/26. You need 10 qualifying years before anything is payable, and 35 years for this full rate. The amount estimator applies that scale to a year count you type in.
New and basic bands
| Scheme | Who it covers | Full weekly rate | Years for the full rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| New State Pension | State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 | £241.30 | 35 |
| Basic State Pension | State Pension age before 6 April 2016 | £184.90 | 30 |
The basic scheme can also include Additional State Pension. This site does not invent that extra amount. The calculators estimate the new scheme only.
What 20 years pays
Twenty qualifying years is twenty thirty-fifths of the full rate, about £137.89 a week, or £7,170.28 a year. It is not half of the full pension, because the full rate needs 35 years.
Each extra year up to 35 adds about £6.89 a week. Years above 35 do not raise this flat estimate. A contracted-out starting amount can still move the official forecast after 35 years.
Tax
State Pension is taxable and is paid gross. The 2026/27 Personal Allowance is £12,570.00. The full new annual amount, £12,547.60, sits under that allowance on its own. A private pension, earnings or other income can use up the allowance and make the State Pension taxable.
When the flat rate is not your figure
Years built before 6 April 2016 are turned into a starting amount. Contracting out can reduce it. A protected payment can sit on top of the full new rate. This page states the published rates. It does not rebuild a personal starting amount.
The GOV.UK forecast uses the National Insurance record. Use it before you pay for gaps or treat the full rate as the amount you will receive.
Reviewed by
Chartered Financial Planner
FCA, CFP® and FCII. Director of Mason Beaufort Financial Planning Co Ltd, specialising in UK pensions since 2001.