How much is the State Pension? £241.30 a week in 2026/27.
The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week, rising to £250.70 from April 2027. What you get depends on your National Insurance record and when you reached State Pension age.
- ▸Full new State Pension: £241.30 a week in 2026/27, which is £965.20 every 4 weeks or £12,547.60 over a year.
- ▸From April 2027 it rises to £250.70 a week (£13,036.40 a year).
- ▸Full basic State Pension, for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016: £184.90 a week, due to rise to £192.10.
- ▸You usually need 35 qualifying years for the full amount and at least 10 to get anything.
The short answer
In the 2026/27 tax year the full new State Pension is £241.30 a week. It is usually paid every 4 weeks, so a full payment is £965.20. Over a 52-week year that is £12,547.60.
From April 2027 the full rate rises to £250.70 a week, or £13,036.40 a year. That is the 3.9% increase confirmed in the 28 October 2026 Budget. See the April 2027 State Pension increase for what changes.
| 2026/27 a week | Every 4 weeks | A year | From April 2027 a week | Every 4 weeks | A year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full new State Pension | £241.30 | £965.20 | £12,547.60 | £250.70 | £1,002.80 | £13,036.40 |
| Full basic State Pension | £184.90 | £739.60 | £9,614.80 | £192.10 | £768.40 | £9,989.20 |
New or basic: which one do you get?
Which system applies depends on when you reached State Pension age, not on when you claim.
- New State Pension: men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953, who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.
- Basic State Pension: people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. Many also get Additional State Pension (SERPS or State Second Pension) on top, so their total can be more than the basic rate.
New vs old State Pension explains the differences in more detail.
How much with fewer qualifying years?
For most people on the new State Pension, the amount is the full rate multiplied by your qualifying years and divided by 35. With fewer than 10 qualifying years you get nothing.
| Qualifying years | 2026/27 a week | 2026/27 a year | From April 2027 a week | From April 2027 a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| 10 | £68.94 | £3,584.88 | £71.63 | £3,724.76 |
| 15 | £103.41 | £5,377.32 | £107.44 | £5,586.88 |
| 20 | £137.89 | £7,170.28 | £143.26 | £7,449.52 |
| 25 | £172.36 | £8,962.72 | £179.07 | £9,311.64 |
| 30 | £206.83 | £10,755.16 | £214.89 | £11,174.28 |
| 35 or more (full rate) | £241.30 | £12,547.60 | £250.70 | £13,036.40 |
This is a simplified starting amount. If you were contracted out before 2016, your starting amount may be lower and you may need more years to reach the full rate. If you built up more under the old rules, you may get a protected payment on top. The State Pension forecast calculator shows the effect of adding years. Your official figure is on GOV.UK's Check your State Pension forecast.
Couples get one each
There is no joint State Pension. Each partner gets their own, based on their own National Insurance record. Two people on the full new State Pension receive £482.60 a week between them in 2026/27. See State Pension for married couples.
Is it taxed?
The State Pension is taxable income, but no tax is taken off it before it is paid. In 2026/27 the full new State Pension (£12,547.60) is below the £12,570 Personal Allowance. From April 2027 it is above it. A new Pension Tax Allowance means people over State Pension age with income up to the full new State Pension will not pay income tax. Check your own position with the Pension Tax Allowance calculator.
- ▸The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in 2026/27; the full basic State Pension is £184.90. [GOV.UK benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027]
- ▸From 6 April 2027 the full new State Pension is £13,036.40 a year (£250.70 a week). [GOV.UK Pension Tax Allowance explainer]
- ▸You usually need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension and at least 10 to get any. [GOV.UK]
- ▸The new State Pension is usually paid every 4 weeks; the payment day depends on your National Insurance number. [GOV.UK]
State Pension amount questions
How much is the full State Pension in 2026/27?
The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week (£965.20 every 4 weeks, or £12,547.60 over 52 weeks). The full basic State Pension, for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, is £184.90 a week.
How much will the State Pension be from April 2027?
The full new State Pension rises to £250.70 a week from April 2027, or £13,036.40 a year. The full basic State Pension is due to rise to £192.10 a week, as announced; DWP confirms the final rates in its uprating order.
How many years do I need for the full State Pension?
Usually 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits. You need at least 10 qualifying years to get any new State Pension. People who were contracted out before 2016 may need more than 35 years.
Do married couples get double the State Pension?
Each person gets their own State Pension based on their own National Insurance record, so there is no joint couple rate. If both partners get the full new State Pension, together they receive £482.60 a week in 2026/27.
How often is the State Pension paid?
The new State Pension is usually paid every 4 weeks. Your payment day depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number.