Benefits & Support2 min check

State Pension Forecast Helper

Estimate your weekly New State Pension and see whether topping up Class 3 voluntary NI contributions might be worthwhile.

Short answer

The full New State Pension is £241.30/week in 2026/27. People starting an NI record after April 2016 usually need 35 qualifying years for the full amount and at least 10 for any payment, but pre-2016 records can produce a different result.

Step 1 of 10%

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Qualifying NI years to date (check at gov.uk/check-state-pension), Years until State Pension age, Will you keep paying NI through work or credits?.
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Benefits & Support. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

The New State Pension is based on your National Insurance record. For records started after April 2016, 35 qualifying years normally give the full amount and at least 10 are needed for any payment. Pre-2016 years, contracting out and a protected payment can change the result.

Voluntary Class 3 NI costs £18.40/week in 2026/27. Always check your official forecast and ask the Future Pension Centre whether filling a particular gap will increase it before paying.

Worked example

Tom has 28 qualifying years and no pre-2016 adjustment. A simple 28/35 projection gives about £193.04/week at the 2026/27 full rate. His official forecast may differ, so he should check each proposed top-up year before paying.

Who should use this

•Anyone within 10 years of State Pension age
•People with career breaks or time abroad
•Self-employed checking their record
•Carers eligible for free NI credits
•Expats deciding whether to pay voluntary NI

Common mistakes

×Buying NI without calling the Future Pension Centre first (some pre-2016 years won't help)
×Forgetting free credits — Carer's Credit, Specified Adult Childcare Credit, Universal Credit
×Self-employed missing Class 2 contributions
×Assuming a long career = full pension (contracting out can have reduced amounts)

Frequently asked questions

How much is the full State Pension?▾

£241.30/week (£12,547.60/year) for the New State Pension in 2026/27.

When is State Pension age?▾

Currently 66, rising to 67 between 2026-2028 and 68 from 2044.

Should I defer my State Pension?▾

Each 9 weeks of deferral adds 1% to your weekly amount. Worth it only if you have other income and expect to live long enough to break even (around 17 years).

Is the State Pension taxable?▾

Yes — it counts as income for Income Tax purposes.

Will the triple lock survive?▾

Currently in place — increases by the higher of CPI, earnings, or 2.5%. Future governments may change it.

Can my spouse inherit my State Pension?▾

Limited inheritance under the New State Pension. Generally only some Protected Payment can be inherited.

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