UK Pension Calculators 2026
Work out your State Pension age, forecast your retirement income, check your National Insurance record, estimate Pension Credit, and plan around the 2026/27 rules — all in one place.
State Pension
State Pension Age Calculator
Find your exact State Pension age based on your date of birth, and see how it changes under planned future increases.
State Pension Forecast Calculator
Estimate your weekly new State Pension based on your number of qualifying National Insurance years.
National Insurance Gaps Calculator
Check whether paying voluntary Class 3 NI contributions to fill gaps in your record is worth it.
State Pension Deferral Calculator
See how much extra you could get each week by delaying your State Pension claim.
Inherited State Pension Calculator
Work out whether you can inherit part of a late spouse's or civil partner's State Pension.
Pension Credit & Pensioner Support
Pension Credit Calculator
Check your eligibility and estimate your weekly top-up, plus the extra benefits a claim can unlock.
Mixed-Age Couple Calculator
If only one of you has reached State Pension age, find out whether you should claim Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
Pensioner Council Tax Reduction
Estimate your council tax discount under the pension-age scheme, which has different rules to working-age support.
Pension Credit Passport Benefits Guide
See every extra benefit a small Pension Credit award can unlock — free TV licence, Warm Home Discount, NHS costs and more.
Disability & Bereavement Support
Attendance Allowance
For people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision due to a health condition.
Carer's Allowance
Check if you qualify for support while caring for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit.
Bereavement Support Payment Calculator
Estimate the lump sum and monthly payments available after the death of a spouse or civil partner.
Private & Workplace Pensions
Pension Drawdown Tax Calculator
Work out the income tax due on withdrawals from your pension pot under flexi-access drawdown.
Tax-Free Lump Sum Calculator
Calculate the maximum 25% tax-free cash you can take from your pension, up to the Lump Sum Allowance.
Workplace Pension Contributions Calculator
See your auto-enrolment contributions, employer match, and the tax relief added to your pot.
Annual Allowance Calculator
Check whether your pension contributions exceed the Annual Allowance — and whether the tapered allowance applies to you.
Retirement Income Planner
Combine your State Pension, workplace pension and savings into a single picture of your retirement income.
How the UK State Pension System Works in 2026
The UK State Pension is not paid automatically at a flat rate — it depends on your National Insurance (NI) record, your date of birth, and in some cases your marital history. Most people now fall under the new State Pension, introduced in April 2016, which replaced the old basic State Pension and additional State Pension (SERPS/S2P) for anyone reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.
Three separate questions determine your retirement income picture, and each has its own calculator on this page:
- When can you claim? Your State Pension age depends on your date of birth — use the State Pension Age Calculator to find your exact date.
- How much will you get? Your forecast depends on your NI record — use the State Pension Forecast Calculator, and the NI Gaps Calculator if you have missing years.
- What if the State Pension alone isn't enough? Pension Credit tops up low income for those over State Pension age, and unlocks a wide range of secondary benefits.
State Pension rates from April 2026
| Pension type | Weekly rate | 4-weekly |
|---|---|---|
| New State Pension (full rate) | £241.30 | £965.20 |
| Old basic State Pension (full rate) | £184.90 | £739.60 |
| Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee — single | £238.00 | £952.00 |
| Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee — couple | £363.25 | £1,453.00 |
Full breakdown including Savings Credit, additional amounts for disability and carers: Pension Credit Calculator →
Old Basic State Pension vs New State Pension — Why It Matters
If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you remain on the old system — the basic State Pension plus, for many, an additional State Pension (SERPS or State Second Pension) and possibly Savings Credit. If you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, you are assessed entirely under the new State Pension rules.
This distinction has practical consequences that catch many people out:
| Feature | Old system (pre-6 April 2016) | New system (6 April 2016 onwards) |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying years for full amount | 30 years | 35 years |
| Minimum years for any pension | 1 year (pro-rata) | 10 years |
| Additional/second state pension | Possible (SERPS, S2P) | Not applicable |
| Savings Credit eligibility | Yes, if criteria met | No — abolished for new claimants |
| Inheriting a spouse's pension | More generous rules | Limited — protected payments only |
Anyone with NI contributions before April 2016 who has not yet reached State Pension age receives a "starting amount" calculation — the higher of what they would have received under the old rules or the new rules, as at 6 April 2016. This is why two people with identical NI records can end up with different State Pension forecasts depending on exactly when they built up their contributions. The State Pension Forecast Calculator on this page applies this starting amount logic.
Which Pension Calculator Do You Need?
With over a dozen tools on this page, it helps to start from your situation rather than the calculator name. The table below maps common circumstances to the right starting point.
| Your situation | Start with |
|---|---|
| I don't know when I can retire | State Pension Age Calculator |
| I want to know how much State Pension I'll get | State Pension Forecast Calculator |
| I have gaps in my National Insurance record | NI Gaps Calculator |
| I'm over State Pension age and on a low income | Pension Credit Calculator |
| My partner hasn't reached State Pension age yet | Mixed-Age Couple Calculator |
| I have a health condition or care needs | Attendance Allowance Calculator |
| My spouse or civil partner has recently died | Bereavement Support Payment Calculator |
| I'm still working and want to delay claiming | State Pension Deferral Calculator |
| I'm about to take money from a private pension | Drawdown Tax Calculator |
| I want to see my whole retirement picture at once | Retirement Income Planner |
Typical mistakes people make when planning around pensions
- Assuming State Pension age is still 65. It is now 66 for everyone, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028 for those born after April 1960.
- Not claiming Pension Credit because of savings. Unlike Universal Credit, Guarantee Credit has no upper savings limit — only the income generated from savings is counted.
- Forgetting that Attendance Allowance has no Benefit Cap interaction. Claiming it is free of risk to other pension-age benefits and can directly increase a Pension Credit award.
- Triggering the Money Purchase Annual Allowance unintentionally. Taking any taxable income from a drawdown pot — even a small amount — cuts your annual allowance for further pension contributions to £10,000.
- Leaving a Pension Credit claim too late after bereavement. Pension Credit can usually only be backdated three months, so a surviving partner should check entitlement promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Pensions in 2026
What is the State Pension age in 2026?
State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. It is scheduled to increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028, affecting people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1977 on a sliding scale. Use the State Pension Age Calculator to find your exact date based on your date of birth.
How many National Insurance years do I need for a full State Pension?
Under the new State Pension, you generally need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits for the full amount, and at least 10 years for any payment at all. Years are pro-rated between these figures. The State Pension Forecast Calculator estimates your weekly amount based on your number of qualifying years.
Is it worth paying voluntary National Insurance contributions?
It depends on your existing record and how many years you have left until State Pension age. Each qualifying year added through voluntary Class 3 contributions can add roughly 1/35th of the full new State Pension to your weekly amount for life — for many people this pays back within two to three years of receiving the pension. The NI Gaps Calculator compares the one-off cost against the lifetime increase.
Can I get Pension Credit if I have savings?
Yes. Unlike Universal Credit, there is no upper savings limit for the main Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. However, savings and capital above £10,000 are treated as generating £1 of weekly income for every £500 (or part of £500) above that threshold, which is included in the income calculation.
What happens if my partner is younger than me and hasn't reached State Pension age?
Since 2019, "mixed-age couples" — where one partner is over State Pension age and the other is not — are generally treated as a working-age household and assessed for Universal Credit, not Pension Credit, until both partners reach State Pension age. There are limited exceptions for couples who were already receiving Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit before this rule changed. The Mixed-Age Couple Calculator explains which rules apply to your situation.
How much tax-free cash can I take from my pension?
Most people can take up to 25% of their pension pot as a tax-free lump sum, subject to the Lump Sum Allowance. Anything beyond the tax-free portion is taxed as income in the year you withdraw it, alongside any other income you receive. The Tax-Free Lump Sum Calculator and Drawdown Tax Calculator on this page work through both parts of this decision.
Does deferring my State Pension increase the amount I get?
Yes. If you delay claiming your new State Pension, the amount increases by approximately 1% for every 9 weeks you defer — equivalent to roughly 5.8% for a full year. The increase is added to your regular payments once you do claim; it is no longer possible to take deferred State Pension as a lump sum under the new rules. The State Pension Deferral Calculator shows the break-even point for your situation.
What is Bereavement Support Payment and who can claim it?
Bereavement Support Payment is a tax-free benefit for people whose spouse or civil partner died on or after 6 April 2017, provided the deceased met certain National Insurance conditions. It consists of an initial lump sum followed by up to 18 monthly payments. It must usually be claimed within three months of the death to receive the full amount, though claims can be made up to 21 months later at a reduced rate.
Disclaimer: These tools provide estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or legal advice. Entitlement is subject to assessment by the DWP and HMRC. For free, personalised guidance contact Citizens Advice, Pension Wise (free pension guidance for over-50s), or the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469.