State Pension and National Insurance: how many years do you need?

Your National Insurance record is what decides how much State Pension you get. Unlike private pensions, it does not depend on how much you paid in, only on how many qualifying years you have. Knowing how the system counts years helps you spot gaps early, while there is still time to fill them.

The new State Pension in 2026/27

The new State Pension applies to men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953. It rose by 4.8% in April 2026 under the triple lock, which increases it each year by the highest of earnings growth, price inflation or 2.5%.

The full amount is just below the £12,570 Personal Allowance. Anyone with other income, such as a workplace pension, will pay Income Tax on part of their State Pension, usually collected through the tax code on their other pension.

What counts as a qualifying year

A tax year counts if you:

• were employed and earned at least the Lower Earnings Limit, £129 a week or £6,708 a year in 2026/27 (you pay no employee NI until £12,570, but the year still counts)
• were self-employed with profits above the small profits threshold, £7,105 in 2026/27 (you are treated as having paid Class 2)
• received National Insurance credits, for example for caring, raising children under 12, or claiming Universal Credit; see National Insurance credits
• paid voluntary contributions; see voluntary National Insurance

A year can be made up of a mixture of these. Years when you were none of the above, and did not pay voluntarily, are gaps.

How your amount is worked out

Each qualifying year is worth about 1/35 of the full rate, so with 30 years you would get roughly 30/35 of £241.30, about £206.83 a week. With fewer than 10 years you get nothing.

If you were contracted out

Before April 2016, many employees in final salary workplace schemes were contracted out of the additional State Pension and paid lower NI. When the new State Pension started, a deduction was made for this. People affected often need more than 35 years to reach the full rate, although years after 2016 can make up the difference. Your forecast takes this into account.

Years before 2016

For people who had NI years before 6 April 2016, a “starting amount” was calculated under both the old and new rules, and the higher figure was used. If the starting amount was above the full new rate, the excess is paid as a protected payment.

State Pension age

A further rise to 68 is legislated for between 2044 and 2046 and is kept under review. Check your exact date on GOV.UK.

Checking your forecast

Your State Pension forecast, available through GOV.UK or the HMRC app, tells you:

• how much you would get if you kept contributing until State Pension age
• whether you can still reach the full amount
• which gaps could be filled, and what it would cost

Check it every few years, and particularly in your 50s, while there is still time to fill gaps. Voluntary contributions can normally only be paid for the last six tax years.

Deferring your State Pension

You do not have to claim your State Pension when you reach State Pension age. Deferring increases it by 1% for every nine weeks deferred (just under 5.8% a year), paid as extra weekly pension once you claim. It can be worth it if you are still working and paying higher rate tax, but you must live long enough to make up the payments missed.

Frequently asked questions

How many years of National Insurance do I need for a full State Pension?

Usually 35 qualifying years. People who were contracted out before 2016 may need more.

What is the full State Pension for 2026/27?

£241.30 a week for the new State Pension, about £12,547.60 a year.

Is the State Pension taxable?

Yes. It is paid without tax deducted, but it counts as taxable income. If you have other pension income, the tax is usually collected through that pension’s tax code.

Can I get a State Pension with fewer than 10 years?

Not the new State Pension, unless you have years from another country that count under a social security agreement. You need at least 10 qualifying years.