UK State Pension: Age, Qualifying Years and the Weekly Amount
Two numbers decide most of a State Pension estimate: when you reach pension age, and how many qualifying years you have out of 35. This guide covers both.
What is the UK State Pension Calculator?
This estimator uses a simplified, year-based version of the State Pension age rules as modelled on the source tool: age 66 for people born before 1960, 67 for people born from 1960 to 1977, and a planned 68 for people born from 1978. The real rules phase in by month of birth (for example, the rise to 67 is phased across people born in the 1960s), so treat the pension date as an approximation and check an official forecast on gov.uk. The weekly amount pro-rates the full weekly rate by qualifying years out of 35: the full new State Pension needs 35 qualifying years, and you normally need at least 10 qualifying years to receive any new State Pension — years below 10 are shown pro-rated here for illustration but would normally mean no payment, so check your record. The full weekly rate is editable (source default £230.25, the 2025/26 full new State Pension rate) so you can update it when the rate changes. State Pension age is set by law and has changed in the past, and future changes would affect younger workers most. Estimates only — this cannot replace an official State Pension forecast.
How to use it
- Enter your date of birth.
- Enter your qualifying National Insurance years (up to 35 for the full new State Pension).
- Check the full weekly rate and update it if the rate has changed.
- Click Estimate State Pension to see an estimated State Pension age, pension date and weekly amount.
Worked example
With 35 qualifying years and a full weekly rate of £230.25, the estimate is the full £230.25 per week. With 20 years, the estimate is £230.25 times 20 divided by 35, which is £131.57 per week. Someone born on 1 January 1970 is estimated to reach State Pension age 67, on 1 January 2037, under the simplified year-based rule used here.
What weekly pension do 20 qualifying years give at a £230.25 full rate?
Multiply £230.25 by 20 and divide by 35 to get £131.57 per week. You normally need at least 10 qualifying years to receive any new State Pension and 35 years for the full amount, and the rate itself changes most years, so update the full rate in the calculator if it has changed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full new State Pension?
The full new State Pension is paid to people who reach State Pension age with 35 qualifying National Insurance years. The weekly rate changes most years, so update the rate in the calculator if it has changed.
How many qualifying years do I need?
You normally need at least 10 qualifying years to receive any new State Pension, and 35 years for the full amount. Years below 35 give a proportionate amount.
Can State Pension age change?
Yes. State Pension age is set by law and has changed in the past. Future changes would affect younger workers most.
Is this an official forecast?
No. This is an estimate only. For an official forecast, use the State Pension forecast service on gov.uk.