The State Pension is money the government pays people who have built up enough National Insurance years by the time they reach State Pension age. Almost everyone gets some. Many people don't know how much until later in life. It is designed as a foundation, which most people add to with a workplace or private pension. The full new State Pension for the 2026/27 tax year is £241.30 a week, worth about £12,548 a year in today's money. Both the amount and the rules can change over time. We'll show you what that figure buys, and what's needed to get the full amount.
Most students don't know the State Pension exists as a specific number. Once you see £241 a week, you can see why many people also build up a workplace or private pension. This sim shows you what the State Pension provides and what it takes to qualify.
The State Pension is a foundation. The full amount, even at 35 or more years of NI contributions, is £241.30 a week in today's money. It provides a base in retirement, and most people add a workplace or private pension on top to give themselves more to live on.
This is why workplace pensions and private savings matter so much. Building a State Pension entitlement is automatic if you work and pay NI; building anything on top of that requires you to actively save. The earlier you start, the easier it becomes.
When can you claim it? Your State Pension age depends on your date of birth and can change over time. You do not need to remember a specific State Pension age for the exam. This sim uses a working estimate only, to show roughly how many more National Insurance years you could still build. Check your own date with the official gov.uk "Check your State Pension age" tool.