Starting in March 2025, the UK government will increase the basic State Pension to £169.50 per week. This move is aimed at helping pensioners keep up with rising living costs, especially as inflation continues to impact essential spending. But not everyone will automatically receive the full amount. It depends on your age, work history, and National Insurance (NI) contributions. Here’s a simple guide on who qualifies, how to check your status, and how to boost your pension if needed.
Update
Let’s start with the key facts about this change:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Basic State Pension | £169.50 per week from March 2025 |
| Eligibility Age | Men born before 6 April 1951, women before 6 April 1953 |
| Qualifying Years Required | Typically 30 years of NI contributions |
| Partial Pension | Available if under 30 qualifying years |
| Additional State Pension | Earned through SERPS or S2P |
| Deferral Benefit | 1% increase for every 5 weeks deferred |
| Official Website | GOV.UK – State Pension |
Eligibility
To get the full basic State Pension, you need to meet certain criteria. This mainly depends on your date of birth and your National Insurance contribution history.
1. Age Requirement
You’ll only qualify for the basic State Pension (not the newer system) if:
- You’re a man born before 6 April 1951
- You’re a woman born before 6 April 1953
Anyone born after these dates will fall under the new State Pension rules.
2. National Insurance Contributions
To receive the full £169.50 per week, you must have at least 30 qualifying years of NI contributions. These can come from:
- Employment
- Self-employment
- NI credits (for things like caring for a child or job-seeking)
If you have fewer than 30 years, you’ll still get something—it just won’t be the full amount.
Check
Not sure where you stand? It’s easy to find out:
- Use the State Pension Forecast tool on the GOV.UK website
- Contact the Pension Service for a full breakdown of your NI history
- Request an official statement by post or online
This will tell you exactly how much you’re on track to receive and what steps you might need to take to fill any gaps.
Extras
Before 6 April 2016, there were two schemes that let workers build up additional State Pension:
1. SERPS
If you earned above the basic level, you could have contributed extra through SERPS, giving you a higher pension later.
2. S2P (State Second Pension)
This replaced SERPS and was aimed more at low and middle-income earners, helping them earn more pension.
If you were part of either scheme, your weekly payment could be higher than the new base rate.
Deferring
Thinking about delaying your claim? It might be worth it. For every 5 weeks you defer, your pension increases by 1%—which adds up to roughly 10.4% more per year.
You might want to defer if:
- You’re still working
- You don’t need the income right away
- You’d rather have larger payments later in retirement
Just be aware that tax and other benefits might be affected by deferring, so it’s worth speaking to a financial adviser.
Apply
Here’s how the application process works:
Step 1
About four months before you reach State Pension age, you’ll get a letter explaining how to apply.
Step 2
You can apply:
- Online via GOV.UK
- By phone through the State Pension claim line
- By post using a claim form
Step 3
You’ll need:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your bank account details
- Info about any deferred claims or additional pensions
Once your claim is processed, payments are usually made every four weeks directly into your bank account.
FAQs
When will the new pension rate begin?
March 2025 is the start date for the £169.50 rate.
Who qualifies for the basic State Pension?
Men born before 6 April 1951, women before 6 April 1953.
How many NI years for full pension?
You need 30 years of National Insurance contributions.
Can I get more by deferring?
Yes, deferring increases your payment by 1% every 5 weeks.
Where do I apply for State Pension?
Apply via GOV.UK, by phone, or by post.
