The State Pension is a regular payment from the government that most people can claim when they reach State Pension age. Not everyone gets the same amount, this depends on your National Insurance record.
You can claim the basic State Pension if you’re:
• A man born before 6 April 1951
• A woman born before 6 April 1953
If you were born later, you’ll need to claim the new State Pension instead.
What is my State Pension age?
Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. This may be different to the age you can receive your workplace or personal pension.
This age differs from person to person depending on when you were born.
Related: Benefits for over 60s
How to check your State Pension age
The easiest way to find out your state pension age is to use this government tool which takes less than 30 seconds.
Changes to State Pension age
The State Pension ages have been undergoing many changes since April 2010, something that has caused much controversy. The changes mean that the State pension age will rise to 65 for women between 2010 and 2018, and then to 66, 67 and 68 for both men and women. There are currently plans to change State Pension ages further.
WASPI was set up in 2015 by a small group of women passionate about campaigning on behalf of the 3.8 million women affected by changes to the state pension age. Find out more about WASPI.
How much is State Pension?
If you reached state pension age before 6 April 2016, you would receive £137.60 a week (£7,155 a year).
The full new State Pension is £179.60 per week (£9,339 a year). You can check your State Pension forecast to find out how much you could get and when.
You only qualify for a full state pension once you have 35 years' worth of National Insurance contributions. Previously, you only needed 30 years' worth.