The UK State Pension is a regular payment given by the government to most people once they reach state pension age. To be eligible for the full UK Basic State Pension, you’ll need a total of 30 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits, and your State Pension will be paid until you die. You may also be able to inherit a state pension from a spouse or civil partner, and it is also possible to make voluntary National Insurance payments to qualify. More info in our guide here.

The amount of money you willreceive in your pension will depend on whether you are eligible for the UK Basic State Pension (and also the Additional State Pension) or the New Pension depending on when you were born. Those born before 6 April 1951 if you’re a man and 6 April 1953 if you’re a woman can claim the basic Pension and this is currently £137.60 a week. How much Additional State Pension you can claim will vary from person to person. The New State Pension is not paid automatically and must be claimed which you can do online or by post. It is available to men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953 and is £179.60 per week. What you’ll receive is based on your National Insurance record. Note that you will need at least 10 years of national insurance contributions to claim any State Pension.