Check your State Pension forecast — and what it actually tells you.
Your official forecast comes from GOV.UK. It shows how much State Pension you could get, when, and whether you can increase it. Here's how to get it, how to read it, and what to do if it's lower than you expected.
- ▸The official forecast is free on GOV.UK or the HMRC app; you sign in and may have to prove your identity.
- ▸It shows how much you could get, when, and whether and how you could increase it.
- ▸Full new State Pension: £241.30 a week with 35 qualifying years. Each missing year costs about £6.89 a week.
- ▸Already getting or deferring your State Pension? The forecast service isn't for you; contact the Pension Service.
The quick answer
Go to Check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK and sign in. It's the only official forecast; Pension Bible's tools are estimates to help you understand it.
Four ways to get a forecast
| Route | How it works | When you can use it |
|---|---|---|
| Online at GOV.UK | Quickest. Sign in (you can create sign-in details) and you may be asked to prove your identity, normally with photo ID. | Any time before you claim |
| HMRC app | The same forecast inside the app. | Any time before you claim |
| Form BR19 by post | Fill in the BR19 form and post it; the forecast is posted back. | More than 30 days before State Pension age |
| Future Pension Centre by phone | They post the forecast to you. | More than 30 days before State Pension age |
How to read it
| The forecast shows | What it means |
|---|---|
| How much you could get | A weekly amount at today's rates, based on your National Insurance record. |
| When you can get it | Your State Pension age date. It can change if the law changes. |
| If you can increase it | Whether more qualifying years would raise your amount, for example by working longer or paying to fill gaps. |
| How you could increase it | The options open to you, such as voluntary National Insurance contributions for past years. |
The forecast also links to your National Insurance record, which lists each year as full or with a gap.
Why it might be lower than the full amount
- Fewer than 35 qualifying years. Under the new State Pension, each year is worth about 1/35 of the full rate, roughly £6.89 a week or £358.28 a year. You need at least 10 years for any State Pension.
- Contracting out before 2016. If you were contracted out, you or your employer paid less into the State Pension, and you usually need more than 35 years to reach the full rate. See contracting out explained.
- Gaps in your record: years abroad, low earnings, caring or illness without credits. See NI years for a full State Pension.
"You can improve your forecast"
This means more qualifying years would raise your amount. You might get them by working and paying National Insurance until State Pension age, by getting National Insurance credits, or by paying voluntary contributions to fill past gaps. Before paying, check the forecast says that year would increase your pension. Then use our NI gap top-up calculator to see the cost against the extra pension, and the State Pension calculator to see your amount by qualifying years.
If you already get, or have deferred, your State Pension
The forecast service isn't for you. Contact the Pension Service, or the International Pension Centre if you live abroad. To delay on purpose, see State Pension deferral; when you're ready, see how to claim your State Pension.
State Pension forecast questions
How do I check my State Pension forecast?
Use the Check your State Pension forecast service on GOV.UK, or the HMRC app. You sign in and may need to prove your identity with photo ID. If you'll reach State Pension age in more than 30 days, you can also post form BR19 or phone the Future Pension Centre for a posted forecast.
Is the State Pension forecast accurate?
It is the official estimate based on your National Insurance record and the law at the time. It is not guaranteed: it can change if your record changes or the rules change, including a change to State Pension age.
Why is my forecast less than the full State Pension?
You need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension of £241.30 a week, and at least 10 for any. If you were contracted out before 2016 you usually need more than 35. Gaps from years abroad, low earnings or not claiming credits also reduce it.
What does 'you can improve your forecast' mean?
It means more qualifying years would raise your amount, by working and paying National Insurance, getting credits, or paying voluntary contributions for past gaps. Each extra year is worth about 1/35 of the full rate, roughly £6.89 a week, if you are below the full amount.
Can I check my forecast if I already get my State Pension?
No. The forecast service isn't for people already getting their State Pension or who have deferred it. Contact the Pension Service instead, or the International Pension Centre if you live abroad.
- ▸The Check your State Pension forecast service shows how much you could get, when, and if and how you could increase it. You need to sign in and may need to prove your identity. [GOV.UK]
- ▸If you'll reach State Pension age in more than 30 days, you can also use form BR19 or phone the Future Pension Centre. The service isn't available if you're already getting or have deferred your State Pension. [GOV.UK]
- ▸The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in 2026/27. If you were contracted out, you usually need more than 35 qualifying years to get it. [GOV.UK]