State Pension Amount 2027 — Weekly and Annual Rates (2027/28)

The 2027/28 State Pension rate will be confirmed in autumn 2026. The 2026/27 rate is now confirmed at £230.25/week (£11,973.20/year), having taken effect from 7 April 2026 following a 4.1% triple lock increase. This page shows the confirmed 2026/27 figures as a baseline, and explains how the 2027/28 rate will be set.

For a full breakdown of the current year’s rates and eligibility, see the State Pension Amount 2026/27 guide.

Last reviewed: June 2026. The 2026/27 State Pension rate (£230.25/week) took effect April 2026. The 2027/28 rate will be announced in autumn 2026 and confirmed from April 2027. This page will be updated when the figures are confirmed.

State Pension Reference Rates

Triple Lock — How the 2027 Increase Is Determined

The triple lock guarantees the State Pension rises each April by whichever is highest: the growth in average weekly earnings (measured May–July of the previous year), the CPI inflation rate (measured in September), or a minimum of 2.5%. For the April 2027 uprating, the relevant data points are collected in 2026 and announced by DWP in autumn 2026 alongside the Autumn Budget.

The 2026/27 increase of 4.1% was driven by earnings growth (the highest of the three measures). Whether 2027/28 follows a similar pattern depends on labour market conditions and inflation through the rest of 2026.

New State Pension — Qualifying Years

Each qualifying year adds approximately £6.58/week at 2026/27 rates (£342/year). Use the State Pension forecast tool to see your personal figure.

State Pension Age — 2027/28

The State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. Under current legislation:

• Rising to 67 for those born after April 1960 — phased increase 2026–2028
• Rising to 68 is under review — may be brought forward from the mid-2030s to the early 2040s

Is the State Pension Taxable?

Yes — the State Pension is taxable income. It is paid gross (without tax deducted at source) but counts towards your personal allowance. For most pensioners whose only income is the State Pension, no tax is due — the full new State Pension (£11,973/year) sits below the £12,570 personal allowance. But if you also receive a workplace or private pension, rental income, or employment earnings, those combine with the State Pension and standard income tax rates apply to the total above the personal allowance.

If your only income is the State Pension:

How to Claim the State Pension

The State Pension does not pay automatically — you must claim it. DWP will send you a letter approximately 2 months before you reach State Pension age. If you do not receive a letter:

• Online: gov.uk/get-state-pension
• Phone: 0800 731 7898 (Monday–Friday 8am–6pm)
• By post: State Pension claim form BR1

You can claim up to 4 months before your State Pension age date. Payments start from the date you reach State Pension age (or from your claim date if later).

Deferring Your State Pension

You do not have to take the State Pension at 66 — you can defer it indefinitely. Each 9 weeks you defer adds 1% to your weekly amount, equivalent to roughly 5.8% per full year. If you continue working or have other income and choose to delay:

Deferral increases your State Pension permanently — but the break-even point is typically 17–18 years after retirement age. If you are in good health and have other income to live on, deferral can be worthwhile; if you need the income immediately or have health concerns, it usually is not. See our full guide on whether to defer your State Pension for a worked analysis.

State Pension and Pension Credit

If your State Pension (and any other income) falls below the Pension Credit Guarantee Credit threshold, you may be entitled to Pension Credit to top up the difference. The 2026/27 Pension Credit Guarantee Credit rate — and eligibility rules — are set out in our Pension Credit guide. This is particularly relevant for those with fewer than 35 qualifying years who receive a partial State Pension.

Anyone receiving Pension Credit also gains access to a wide range of additional benefits — see Pension Credit Rates 2027/28 for details.

Filling NI Gaps Before April 2027

You can pay voluntary Class 3 NI contributions to fill gaps in your record from the last 6 years. Each qualifying year added increases your State Pension by approximately £6.58/week (at 2026/27 rates) — for life, and rising with future triple lock increases. The cost of a voluntary year (Class 3) is confirmed at gov.uk each tax year — check the current rate before contributing. The break-even period is typically around 2.5–3 years of State Pension receipt.

If you have fewer than 35 qualifying years and are approaching retirement, checking your NI record via gov.uk/check-state-pension — or our State Pension forecast guide — is worthwhile before deciding whether to pay voluntary contributions.

Related Guides

• State Pension UK — Amounts, Eligibility and How It Works
• State Pension Amount 2026/27 — Confirmed Rates
• New State Pension vs Old State Pension
• State Pension Age by Birth Year
• State Pension Forecast — How to Check Yours Online
• Should You Defer Your State Pension?
• NI Voluntary Contributions — Should I Buy Extra Years?
• Should I Pay Voluntary NI Contributions?
• How to Fill National Insurance Gaps for State Pension
• State Pension and Working — Do You Still Pay NI?
• Pension Credit UK — Complete Guide
• Pension Credit Rates 2027/28
• Pension Annual Allowance 2027/28
• New Tax Year April 2027 — Every Change Explained
• Pension Planning Hub