Basic State Pension: Eligibility, Amounts and Increases

The basic state pension is still relevant for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. If you reached State Pension age on or after that date, you are usually covered by the new State Pension instead.

This guide explains what the basic state pension is, who can get it, how it is calculated, how much it pays in 2026, and how it differs from the newer system. It also covers deferral, tax and how to claim.

What Is the Basic State Pension?

Understanding the Basic State Pension is important because it works differently from the newer system. In some cases, it may include additional elements such as the Additional State Pension, which can increase the total amount you receive.

The Additional State Pension is an extra amount built up on top of the Basic State Pension under the old system. It was based on your earnings and National Insurance contributions during your working life and was previously known as schemes such as SERPS (State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme) or the State Second Pension (S2P). Not everyone will have this, as it depends on your work history.

Although no new claims are made under this system today, many people still receive the basic State Pension. This means it continues to play an important role in retirement income for many pensioners across the UK.

Who Gets the Basic State Pension?

Your eligibility is mainly based on your National Insurance record. To qualify, you need to have built up a certain number of qualifying years, either through paying National Insurance contributions or receiving credits.

The minimum number of years needed to receive any basic State Pension depends on your date of birth and, under the old system, your sex. In general:

Many people only need one qualifying year to receive some basic State Pension

However, if you were born earlier, you may need around 10 or 11 qualifying years before any pension is paid

Because the rules vary depending on when you were born, it is often worth checking your individual National Insurance record to confirm your entitlement.

How this may affect your pension

Many people assume everyone now gets the same State Pension, but that is not the case. If you are on the old system, your pension may include the basic State Pension and, in some cases, Additional State Pension on top. This means your income could differ from someone on the new State Pension, even if your work history appears similar.

National Insurance credits and older records

If you spent time out of work due to caring responsibilities, illness or other approved reasons, National Insurance credits may still have helped build your entitlement.

Older records may also include Home Responsibilities Protection, which could reduce the number of qualifying years needed for a full pension.

In practice, many people receiving the basic State Pension today are already retired. While the system no longer builds new entitlements, it still affects how current pension payments are calculated and paid.

How the Basic State Pension Is Calculated

The basic state pension UK system works differently from the new State Pension. Your entitlement is based on your National Insurance record and the number of qualifying years you built up before reaching State Pension age.

Qualifying years needed for the full basic State Pension

Category | Qualifying years needed
A man born between 1945 and 1951 | 30 years
A man born before 1945 | 44 years
A woman born between 1950 and 1953 | 30 years
A woman born before 1950 | 39 years

If you have fewer qualifying years than required for the full amount, you may still receive a reduced basic State Pension, provided you meet the minimum threshold.

What counts as a qualifying year?

A qualifying year is usually built by:

Paying enough National Insurance through work

Receiving National Insurance credits

Paying voluntary National Insurance contributions

Additional State Pension and contracted-out history

Some people on the old system may also have built up an Additional State Pension. Others may have been contracted out, meaning they paid less into the State Pension system for a period while building pension rights in a workplace or private pension instead.

Contracting out can affect the overall retirement income you receive, particularly as it may reduce the amount of Additional State Pension built up. The impact can vary depending on the type of scheme you were in and when you were contracted out.

To better understand your position, it can be helpful to check your State Pension forecast and review your National Insurance record, to see how much State Pension you are likely to receive and identify any gaps in your record that may affect your entitlement.

How Much Is Basic State Pension?

The table below shows the standard weekly rates for the Basic State Pension and how they have increased for the 2026/27 tax year.

Basic State Pension weekly amounts (2025/26 vs 2026/27)

The table below shows the standard weekly rates for the Basic State Pension and what each category represents.

Pension type | What it means | 2025/26 | 2026/27

Category A or B
(full rate)

Based on your own National Insurance record (or combined with a spouse/civil partner)

£176.45

£184.90

Category B
(lower rate)

Based on a spouse or civil partner’s National Insurance record

£105.70

£110.75

Category C or D | Non-contributory pension, usually for people with a limited or no NI record | £105.70 | £110.75

How this affects what you receive

These categories reflect how your entitlement is calculated under the older Basic State Pension system. The amount you receive will depend on your National Insurance record and personal circumstances, so not everyone will receive the full rate shown above.

Over-80 pension top-up

If you are aged 80 or over and receive little or no basic State Pension, you may qualify for an Over 80 Pension. This can provide a minimum level of income, helping ensure some financial support later in life.

How the Basic State Pension Differs from the New State Pension

The biggest difference is that the basic state pension applies to people in the UK who have reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, while the new State Pension applies to most people reaching it on or after that date.

Basic versus New State Pension

Feature | Basic State Pension | New State Pension
Who it applies to | Men born before 6 Apr 1951; women born before 6 Apr 1953 | People reaching State Pension age on or after 6 Apr 2016
Full amount rules | 30, 39 or 44 years, depending on birth/date group | 35 qualifying years
Minimum years | Old-system thresholds vary | 10 qualifying years
Full weekly rate in 2026/27 | £184.90 | £241.30

For people on the old system, this difference matters because the rules around inherited rights (where you may be able to receive part of a spouse or civil partner’s State Pension entitlement), Additional State Pension and deferral can be more complex than under the newer system.

Deferring the Basic State Pension

If you deferred your pension, this may explain why your current payments are higher than the standard basic State Pension.

Although this option is no longer available for new decisions, understanding how it worked can help you make sense of your current income.

While no new claims can be made under the Basic State Pension system, some people may still have deferred their pension in the past.

Under the old rules, deferring increased your payments over time. For every five weeks you delayed, your pension increased by 1%, which equates to around 10.4% per year.

In some cases, people who deferred for at least 12 months could choose between:

A higher weekly pension – treated as regular income and taxed in the same way as the rest of your State Pension. This means it counts towards your total taxable income for the year.

A lump sum – taxed at your marginal rate of income tax in the tax year you claim it. The rate applied is based on your other income at that time, rather than being spread over multiple years.

If you deferred your pension, this may explain why your current payments are higher than the standard Basic State Pension or why you may have received a one-off payment.

Although this option is no longer available for new decisions, understanding how it worked can help you make sense of your current income.

Tax and the Basic State Pension

The Basic State Pension is taxable, even though it is usually paid gross (without tax being deducted first). Whether you pay tax depends on your total income, including:

Your State Pension

Workplace or personal pensions

Earnings or savings income

If your total income is above your personal allowance, you may need to pay tax. In many cases, any tax due is not taken directly from your State Pension but is instead collected through PAYE on your workplace or personal pension.

What this means for your overall income

Your State Pension forms part of your overall retirement income, so it’s important to think about how everything works together. For example, taking large withdrawals from a private pension in one year could push you into a higher tax band. Because of this, many people choose to spread withdrawals over time rather than taking too much at once.

Receiving the State Pension can also influence your eligibility for certain benefits. In some cases, a higher income may reduce eligibility for means-tested support such as Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support. However, in other situations, receiving the State Pension may help trigger entitlement to additional support, depending on your overall circumstances.

Taking a little time to plan ahead can help you make the most of your income and reduce the risk of unexpected tax bills.

How to Claim and What to Expect

Most people receive a letter before they reach State Pension age explaining how to claim. If you don’t receive one, you can still apply online, by phone, or by post

When and how you’ll be paid

Once your claim is processed, payments are usually made every four weeks. The money is paid into your chosen bank or building society account. Your payment day depends on your National Insurance number.

If you deferred your claim

If you delayed your claim, you could start it whenever you’re ready using the same methods. This also applies if you’re living abroad.

When your first payment arrives

Your first payment is usually made shortly after your claim is processed, and often at the end of the first full week from your chosen start date. It may also include any backdated payments you’re entitled to.

How to prepare for your claim

To help everything run smoothly, it’s worth having your National Insurance number, your bank details and any relevant personal information. Checking everything carefully before submitting can help avoid delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I on the basic or the new State Pension?

You are usually on the basic State Pension if you are a man born before 6 April 1951 or a woman born before 6 April 1953. If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, you are usually on the new State Pension instead.

How many qualifying years do I need for the basic State Pension?

It depends on your date of birth and sex under the old rules. Many people on the old system need 30 qualifying years for the full amount, but some older groups need 39 or 44 years. The minimum needed for any entitlement can also vary.

Can I increase my basic State Pension?

You may be able to increase your basic State Pension by deferring your claim, checking whether you are entitled to inherited or additional amounts or, in some cases, improving your National Insurance record. Whether that is worthwhile depends on your circumstances.

What would happen if I were contracted out?

If you were contracted out, you or your employer paid more into a workplace or private pension and less into part of the State Pension system for a set time. This can affect how much State Pension you receive, particularly under transition rules or Additional State Pension calculations.

Can I claim my UK State Pension if I live abroad?

Yes, you can usually claim your UK State Pension if you live abroad, although the process and payment arrangements can differ. If you have worked in the UK and abroad, overseas contributions may help you meet qualifying conditions, but your amount is based on your National Insurance record.
Your State Pension may not increase each year if you live overseas, as annual rises depend on whether the UK has a reciprocal agreement with the country you live in.

How much is the basic state pension in 2026?

The full basic State Pension in 2026 is £184.90 per week for the 2026/27 tax year. However, the amount you receive may be lower or higher depending on your National Insurance record, including how many qualifying years you have built up and whether you are entitled to any Additional State Pension.

What is the UK basic state pension based on?

The UK basic State Pension is based on your National Insurance record. The number of qualifying years you have built up through contributions or credits determines whether you receive the full amount or a reduced pension. Your entitlement may also be affected by gaps in your record or any Additional State Pension. Payments are typically increased each year under the Triple Lock, which means rises are based on the highest of inflation, earnings growth or 2.5%, although this is subject to government policy.

This information is for guidance only and does not constitute financial advice. Pension rules, tax treatment and benefits depend on individual circumstances and may change in the future.