The State Pension is paid to you by the government when you reach State Pension age. How much you get depends on two key things:

  • your age when you start receiving it
  • how much National Insurance you’ve paid (and how long you’ve paid it for).

Three key things to know about the State Pension.

  1. You need to have a minimum number ‘qualifying years’ on record to receive the State Pension. You can find out more on the Government state pension website.
  2. You'll need to have paid National Insurance (commonly called NI) contributions for 35 years to get the maximum state pension. Why not find out what your State Pension might be and what you can do to top it up if you need to.
  3. The State Pension age is currently changing. Check what your State Pension age will be, by clicking here.

What you can do next

Check what your State Pension age will be, by clicking here

Click here to find out what your State Pension might be and what you can do to top it up if you need to.