How do I qualify for the state pension?

Will I get the state pension?

People who reach state pension age after April 2016 need to have made at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions to qualify for the state pension.

To get the full amount - this is £230.25 a week in 2025-26 - you need 35 years of National Insurance contributions.

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What is the state pension age?

With life expectancy increasing, the government is having to pay the state pension for longer, and to more people.

To manage the cost of this, the state pension age is gradually increasing.

It is currently 66, but will rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

The state pension is scheduled to increase again to age 68 between 2044 and 2046, but this may be brought forward to as early as 2037.

However, a final decision is unlikely to be made before 2026.

• Find out more: state pension age calculator

How does National Insurance affect my state pension?

The amount of state pension you will receive depends on your record of National Insurance contributions.

To get the full state pension you need to have made 35 years of National Insurance contributions. These are known as 'qualifying years.'

If you've made fewer than 35 years' contributions and at least 10 years' worth, you'll still get a state pension - it will just be adjusted to reflect the number of qualifying years you have.

If you have any gaps in your National Insurance record that mean you won't get the full state pension, you can pay voluntary contributions to build up your entitlement.

• Find out more: should I top up my state pension?

Who qualifies for the state pension?

You qualify for the state pension when you reach state pension age (currently 66), as long as you have built up at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions.

When you're working you pay National Insurance and will get a qualifying year if:

• you're employed and earning over £12,584 from one employer
• you're self-employed and paying National Insurance contributions for a full tax year

If you're earning less than £12,584 a year but more than £6,396, you won't pay National Insurance but will still get a qualifying year.

Will I get the state pension if I'm not working?

If you're not working, or have had a period of unemployment, you can still qualify for the state pension.

This is through National Insurance credits, which fill in any gaps in your National Insurance record. You'll receive credits if:

• you've been out of work because of illness, unemployment or maternity leave
• you're a parent of children under age 12 for whom you're claiming child benefit
• you're a carer for someone sick or disabled, or a foster carer, or received Carer's Allowance

You'll also receive National Insurance credits if you are in work, but don't earn enough to pay National Insurance.

Can I claim my state pension early due to ill health?

You can't receive your state pension before you reach state pension age, even if you have poor health or a limited life expectancy.

If you have a serious physical or mental health condition, check to see if you’re entitled to other state benefits such as:

• Statutory Sick Pay
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit

What was the additional state pension?

The additional state pension – also known as the state earnings related pension scheme (Serps) or the state second pension – was a top-up to the basic state pension based on how much you earned. 

It disappeared in 2016 with the introduction of the new flat-rate state pension.

This means you can no longer build up additional state pension, but the state pension you get will reflect any additional state pension you've accrued in the past.

• Find out more: additional state pension explained