Basic State Pension rate

There are different rates of State Pension. The rate you get depends on your circumstances.

Getting the basic State Pension

You can claim the basic State Pension if you're:

a man born before 6 April 1951
a woman born before 6 April 1953

If you were born later, you’ll need to claim the new State Pension instead.

Basic State Pension rate

To get the basic State Pension you must have paid or been credited with National Insurance contributions. The most you can currently get is £169.50 per week.

Qualifying for a basic State Pension

Basic State Pension is based on the number of qualifying years you achieve during your working life.

To find out more about qualifying for the basic State Pension, go to the link below:

Qualifying for basic State Pension

Annual increases in the basic State Pension rate

The basic State Pension increases every year by whichever is the highest of the following:

earnings - the average percentage growth in wages (in Great Britain)
prices - the percentage growth in prices in the UK as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI)
2.5 per cent

Additional State Pension rate

The additional State Pension is sometimes also known as SERPS or the State Second Pension (S2P).

Not everyone receives an additional State Pension. The amount you get depends on your circumstances.

For more information, go to the following page:

Additional State Pension

Over 80 Pension rate

The Over 80 Pension is a State Pension for people aged 80 years or over.

To be eligible you must get either a basic State Pension of less than £101.55 a week, or no basic State Pension at all.

It can give you £101.55 a week in the 2024 to 2025 tax year. For more information go to the link below:

Over 80 Pension

SMS messages

When claiming the basic State Pension you may receive text messages (SMS) from the Department for Communities (DfC). They will always be clearly marked as DfC and will never ask you to give, or click a link to give, personal information or financial details by message or email.

If you’re concerned or unsure about any text messages (SMS) you receive from about the basic State Pension you should contact Northern Ireland Pension Centre directly.

If you suspect you have received a fraudulent message as a scam, contact Northern Ireland Pension Centre immediately.

Further information is available at: scamwiseni

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Basic State Pension rate

Getting the basic State Pension

Basic State Pension rate

Qualifying for a basic State Pension

Annual increases in the basic State Pension rate

Additional State Pension rate

Over 80 Pension rate

SMS messages

Help improve this page - send your feedback

Messages

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment