|
Pension Guide — Updated April 2026
The State Pension is the foundation of retirement income for most UK adults. Understanding how much you will receive, when you can claim it, and how to maximise your entitlement is essential retirement planning — especially as the gap between the State Pension and a comfortable retirement income means most people need significant additional private saving. New State Pension vs Basic State PensionThe new State Pension applies to those reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. The old basic State Pension applies to those who reached pension age before that date. Many people have a mix of both if their NI records span both systems.
Check your specific forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension to see your exact entitlement based on your NI record. State Pension Age and TimelineThe State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. It began rising to 67 from 6 April 2026 and will complete by 2028. A further rise to 68 is currently scheduled between 2037 and 2039.
You can defer taking your State Pension — for every 9 weeks you defer, your pension increases by 1% (approximately 5.8% per year of deferral). This can be worthwhile if you are still working and don't need the income immediately. How to Check and Boost Your EntitlementCheck your State Pension forecast and NI record at gov.uk/check-state-pension. If you have gaps in your NI record, you can pay voluntary Class 3 contributions to fill them.
The deadline for filling certain historical gaps in your NI record has been extended — check gov.uk for current deadlines as they change periodically.
By Chandraketu Tripathi · Updated April 2026 · kaeltripton.com |
Part of our complete guide:
