State Pension forecast
Your new State Pension is built from qualifying National Insurance years. This estimates your weekly amount from the years you have, using the simple one thirty-fifth rule.
How the forecast is built
The new State Pension works on qualifying years of National Insurance. Thirty-five years gets you the full amount, and every year is worth one thirty-fifth of it. For 2026/27 the full pension is £241.30 a week, so a single year adds about £6.89 a week. Below ten qualifying years you get nothing, which is why filling early gaps can matter so much.
Worked example
With 20 qualifying years you are at 20 thirty-fifths of the full pension, roughly £137.89 a week or £7,170 a year. You are 15 years short of the full £241.30 a week. Keep adding qualifying years, through work, credits or voluntary contributions, and each one lifts your pension by about £6.89 a week for the rest of your life.
Check before you rely on it
This estimate uses the simple 1/35 rule, but your 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 your official forecast, which you can get in minutes with a gov.uk account.
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. You need 35 qualifying National Insurance years for the full amount. Each year is worth roughly £6.89 a week, so 20 years gives about £137.89 a week.
How many years do I need?
You need at least 10 qualifying years to get any new State Pension at all, and 35 for the full amount. 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.