State Pension forecast
The new State Pension for 2026/27 pays £241.30 a week in full, requiring 35 qualifying National Insurance years under gov.uk's new State Pension rules. With 20 qualifying years, the estimated amount here is about £137.89 a week. At least 10 years are needed for any payment at all.
How is the State Pension forecast built?
The new State Pension works on qualifying years of National Insurance, as set out on gov.uk. 35 years gets the full amount, and every year is worth one 35th of it. For 2026/27 the full pension is £241.30 a week, so a single year adds about £6.89 a week. Below 10 qualifying years the pension pays nothing, which is why filling early gaps can matter so much.
How much State Pension would 20 qualifying years give?
With 20 qualifying years the estimate sits at 20 35ths of the full pension, roughly £137.89 a week or £7,170 a year. That is 15 years short of the full £241.30 a week set out on gov.uk. Adding qualifying years, through work, credits or voluntary contributions, is estimated to lift the pension by about £6.89 a week for each extra year.
Is this the same as my official forecast?
This estimate uses the simple 1/35 rule, but an individual's real position can differ. People who were contracted out of the additional State Pension may see a lower starting figure, and those with a strong pre-2016 record may see a higher one. The only definitive number is the official forecast available from gov.uk's check your State Pension service.
Common questions
How much State Pension will I get?
The full new State Pension for 2026/27 is £241.30 a week, about £12,548 a year, under gov.uk's new State Pension rules. Reaching that full amount needs 35 qualifying National Insurance years. Each year is worth roughly £6.89 a week, so 20 years gives an estimated £137.89 a week.
How is the State Pension forecast built?
The forecast is built on qualifying National Insurance years, following the fraction rule gov.uk sets out for the new State Pension. 35 years buys the full £241.30 a week, each year is worth one 35th of that, and fewer than 10 years pays nothing at all.
How much State Pension would 20 qualifying years give?
With 20 qualifying years, the estimate here is about £137.89 a week or £7,170 a year, which is 15 years short of the full £241.30 a week described on gov.uk. Each additional qualifying year is estimated to add roughly £6.89 a week to the eventual pension.
How many years do I need?
At least 10 qualifying years are needed to get any new State Pension at all, and 35 for the full amount, under gov.uk's rules. Years can come from paid work, National Insurance credits while claiming certain benefits or caring, or voluntary contributions.
Is this the same as my official forecast?
Not exactly. This is a simple estimate based on the 1/35 rule. Your real forecast also reflects your record before 2016 and any time you were contracted out of the additional State Pension, which can push your figure above or below this. Always check your own forecast on gov.uk.
Can I still increase my State Pension?
Often yes. If you have gaps and are still years from pension age, you may build more qualifying years by working, getting credits, or paying voluntary contributions to fill past gaps. Check whether a specific year actually raises your amount before paying, because some will not.
Sources & Rate Verification
Rates verified against official statutory guidance on 6 September 2026.