When can Mum claim her State Pension?
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UK State Pension Age Calculator
Updated October 2026
Helping families plan for retirement with confidence. Calculate State Pension age and see the key steps to take now.
Calculate State Pension age
Enter a date of birth to see the estimated State Pension age and target date.
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See the SOS watchUnderstanding UK State Pension
The State Pension is a regular payment from the government that most people can claim when they reach State Pension age. It is designed to provide core financial support in retirement.
Who qualifies?
- You need at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any State Pension.
- You usually need 35 qualifying years to get the full amount.
- You build qualifying years by working and paying National Insurance, or receiving credits.
State Pension ages explained
Your State Pension age depends on when you were born. The age has been gradually increasing:
| Date of birth | State Pension age |
|---|---|
| Before 6 April 1960 | 66 years |
| 6 April 1960 to 5 April 1977 | 67 years |
| 6 April 1977 onwards | 68 years |
What affects your State Pension amount?
You build up your State Pension through National Insurance contributions. Each tax year you pay (or are credited with) contributions counts as a “qualifying year”.
- In 2026/27, a year counts if you earn over £242 a week from one employer and pay National Insurance, or if you earn between £129 and £242 a week from one employer and are treated as having paid.
- If you are self-employed and your profits are £7,105 or more in 2026/27, Class 2 contributions are treated as paid.
- Claiming certain benefits gives you credits.
- Caring for children or disabled family members can earn you credits.
Common reasons for gaps include:
- Time spent unemployed without claiming benefits.
- Living abroad.
- Low earnings below £129 a week (2026/27).
- Time caring for family without claiming credits.
Good news: You can often fill gaps by paying voluntary contributions, usually going back up to 6 years.
If you “contracted out” of the additional State Pension before April 2016, you paid lower National Insurance but may receive less State Pension. This mainly affects those who were in workplace defined benefit schemes.
This is automatically taken into account when you get your State Pension forecast.
You can delay claiming your State Pension and receive a higher amount later:
- Your pension increases by 1% for every 9 weeks you defer (just under 5.8% for a full year).
- You need to defer for at least 9 weeks. There is no upper limit after that.
- If you do not claim, it defers automatically.
Example: Defer for 1 year and your State Pension increases by just under 5.8% for life.
How much will the State Pension go up in April 2027?
From 6 April 2027, the full new State Pension will be £13,036.40 a year, up from £241.30 a week now. That's from the government's Pension Tax Allowance explainer, published with the Budget on 28 October 2026. The new weekly amount hasn't been published on GOV.UK yet, so check with GOV.UK before you rely on a weekly figure.
| Amount | Now (2026/27) | From 6 April 2027 (2027/28) |
|---|---|---|
| Full new State Pension, weekly | £241.30 a week | Check with GOV.UK |
| Full new State Pension, yearly | £13,036.40 a year |
Sources: GOV.UK, The new State Pension and Pension Tax Allowance explainer. Last checked: 29 October 2026.
Why does it go up? Each year the State Pension rises by the highest of three things: prices (inflation), average earnings growth, or 2.5%. This is the "triple lock". The government says this will continue each year through to April 2029. From April 2030 it plans to adjust the triple lock (GOV.UK Budget 2026).
Will Mum or Dad get the full amount? Not everyone does. It depends on their National Insurance record and, for people who reached State Pension age before April 2016, the older rules. The rise is added automatically, so there's nothing to claim. To see their own figure, use the free GOV.UK State Pension forecast.
Will they pay tax on it? From April 2027 the full new State Pension (£13,036.40 a year) is a little above the tax-free Personal Allowance (£12,570). To stop people paying small amounts of tax because of this, the government is bringing in a new Pension Tax Allowance, worth up to £94 a year in income tax. If someone over State Pension age has a total income of no more than the full new State Pension, the new Pension Tax Allowance means they won't pay income tax on it. HMRC applies it automatically. Read the GOV.UK explainer.
Other benefits: Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance usually go up in April too. The 2027/28 rates aren't on GOV.UK yet. Check with GOV.UK, or use our Pension Credit calculator, which we'll update when the new rates are published.
Essential steps to take now
Whether retirement is years away or approaching soon, these steps can help you and your family feel more prepared.
Visit gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record to see your qualifying years and spot any gaps.
Request a forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension to see your estimated amount.
If you have gaps, check if paying voluntary contributions would be worth it (Class 3 voluntary contributions are £18.40 a week in 2026/27, which is £956.80 for a full year).
Look at workplace and private pensions. State Pension alone may not provide the income you want in retirement.
If income will be low, check if you could qualify for Pension Credit, which tops up income for people over State Pension age.
Think about how you might cover care home or home-care costs in later life, as these are not fully covered by the state. If a parent is living alone, some families also look at a GPS SOS watch so help is nearby.
Common questions
Can I claim State Pension if I am still working?
Yes. You can carry on working and claim your State Pension. You usually stop paying National Insurance once you reach State Pension age.
What if I have lived abroad?
Time working in EEA countries or countries with reciprocal agreements can often count towards your State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for advice on your situation.
Will State Pension increase each year?
The State Pension currently uses the “triple lock”, meaning it rises by the highest of average earnings growth, prices (CPI), or 2.5%.
How much will the State Pension be from April 2027?
From 6 April 2027, the full new State Pension will be £13,036.40 a year, according to GOV.UK. The new weekly rate hasn't been published on GOV.UK yet, so check GOV.UK for the weekly figure and the basic State Pension rate. How much someone actually gets depends on their National Insurance record.
Is State Pension taxable?
State Pension counts as income for tax purposes, but it is paid without tax deducted. HMRC usually adjusts the tax you pay on other income to account for it. From April 2027, if someone over State Pension age has a total income of no more than the full new State Pension, the new Pension Tax Allowance means they won't pay income tax on it. HMRC applies it automatically. The government says this applies for the rest of this Parliament (GOV.UK Pension Tax Allowance explainer).
Claiming your State Pension
Short answers based on current GOV.UK guidance.
Can I get my State Pension early?
No. State Pension age is the earliest you can claim it. You can keep working after that age. A workplace or personal pension can start at a different age. Check your date on GOV.UK.
How do I claim?
It is not paid automatically. You should get a letter before you reach State Pension age, with an invitation code to claim online. If you do not have the letter and you will reach State Pension age in the next 3 months, you can request a code. You can claim by phone if you will reach it in the next 4 months, or ask the Pension Service to post you a form. Northern Ireland, and claiming from abroad, use a different process.
What if I haven't got 35 years of National Insurance?
You can still get some new State Pension with at least 10 qualifying years. You usually need 35 qualifying years for the full rate if your record started after April 2016. If your record started before April 2016 and you were contracted out, you may need more than 35 years. Check your forecast before you pay to fill any gaps.
Does deferring increase my pension?
Yes. If you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, it increases by 1% for every 9 weeks you defer. That is just under 5.8% for a full year. You need to defer for at least 9 weeks. If you do not claim, it defers on its own. The extra amount can be taxed, and you cannot build up extra pension while you or your partner get certain benefits.
Will the pension age rise to 68?
Under current law, it rises from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. People born on or after 6 April 1978 have a State Pension age of 68. People born from 6 April 1977 to 5 April 1978 reach it on set dates during that change, not all on their 68th birthday. A review can recommend an earlier rise, but it changes only if Parliament changes the law. The rise from 66 to 67, between 2026 and 2028, is already law.
What if I have fewer than 10 qualifying years?
You usually cannot get any new State Pension with fewer than 10 qualifying years. They do not have to be in a row, and they can be from before or after April 2016. Credits, voluntary contributions, and some time working abroad can count. Some married women and widows who paid reduced-rate National Insurance are covered by a different rule.
Additional support
Free guidance services:
- Pension Wise: Free government appointments about retirement options (0800 138 3944).
- MoneyHelper: Free and impartial financial guidance (moneyhelper.org.uk).
- Citizens Advice: Advice on benefits and pensions (citizensadvice.org.uk).
- Age UK: Information and support for older people (0800 678 1602).
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current UK State Pension rules. Rules can change and individual circumstances vary. Always check your official State Pension forecast and consider professional financial advice for retirement planning decisions.
