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

35 qualifying National Insurance years are needed for the full new State Pension. You need at least 10 qualifying years to receive any State Pension.

Can I defer my State Pension?

Yes. Deferring your State Pension increases the amount you receive when you do claim. It increases by approximately 1% for every 9 weeks deferred — roughly 5.8% per year.

News & Guides ⏱ 1 min read 📅 Updated Apr 2026

Widows Pension UK 2026 — Bereavement Support Payment Explained

The UK bereavement support payment in 2026 — who qualifies, how much it pays, and what other financial support is available after a spouse dies.

Chandraketu Tripathi

Finance Editor, Kaeltripton

Published 14 Apr 2026

Last reviewed 14 Apr 2026

✓ Fact-checked

The bereavement support payment replaced the old widows pension in 2017. It provides a lump sum of £3,500 (£2,500 for those without children) plus monthly payments of £350 (£100 without children) for up to 18 months.

Checking your State Pension forecast

Check your personal State Pension forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension. You will need a Government Gateway account. The forecast shows your current entitlement based on your NI record, your projected amount if you continue contributing, and any gaps in your record that you could fill with voluntary contributions.

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Voluntary NI contributions to boost your pension

If you have gaps in your NI record, you can make voluntary Class 3 contributions to fill them. In 2025/26 this costs £824 per year to fill a gap — which buys you approximately £329/year in additional State Pension for life. The payback period is under 3 years, making voluntary contributions one of the best-return financial decisions available to many UK retirees.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Tax figures are based on 2025/26 rates. Always verify with HMRC or a qualified adviser.

Editorial Disclaimer

The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA. For readers outside the UK: content is written for a UK audience and may not reflect the laws, regulations or products available in your jurisdiction. Kaeltripton.com and its contributors accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information provided.

Chandraketu Tripathi

Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com

22 years in global marketing and finance publishing. Specialist in UK personal finance, insurance, tax and consumer money guides.