The 2027/28 State Pension rate will be confirmed in autumn 2026. Here are the current reference figures and what the triple lock means for 2027/28.
Last reviewed: May 2026. The 2027/28 State Pension amount will be announced in autumn 2026 (Budget/uprating statement) and confirmed from April 2027. This page will be updated when the figures are confirmed.
State Pension Reference Rates
| 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full new State Pension | £221.20/week | TBC (autumn 2025 announcement) | TBC (autumn 2026 announcement) |
| Full new State Pension (annual) | £11,502.40 | TBC | TBC |
| Basic (old) State Pension | £169.50/week | TBC | TBC |
| Triple lock applies | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Triple Lock — How the 2027 Increase Is Determined
| Factor | Measurement period for 2027/28 uprating |
|---|---|
| Average earnings growth | May–July 2026 (ONS Average Weekly Earnings) |
| CPI inflation | September 2026 (ONS CPI) |
| 2.5% minimum | Guaranteed minimum |
| Uprating = highest of three | Announced autumn 2026 |
New State Pension — Qualifying Years
| Qualifying years | Percentage of full pension | Weekly amount (2025/26 reference) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (minimum) | 28.6% | £63.20 |
| 15 | 42.9% | £94.80 |
| 20 | 57.1% | £126.40 |
| 25 | 71.4% | £157.90 |
| 30 | 85.7% | £189.60 |
| 35 (full) | 100% | £221.20 |
Each qualifying year adds approximately £6.32/week (2025/26 rates).
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) but counts towards your personal allowance. If your only income is the State Pension:
| 2027/28 | |
|---|---|
| Full new State Pension (estimated) | ~£11,850–£12,000/year (TBC) |
| Personal allowance | £12,570 |
| Tax owed on State Pension alone | £0 (under personal allowance) |
| Combined with other income | Standard income tax rules apply |
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. If you continue working or have other income and choose to delay:
| Deferral | New State Pension increase |
|---|---|
| Each week deferred | 1% added for every 9 weeks deferred (≈ 5.8%/year) |
| 1 year deferred | Approximately +£12.80/week (at 2025/26 rates) |
| 2 years deferred | Approximately +£25.60/week additional |
Deferral increases your State Pension permanently — but the break-even point is typically 17–18 years after retirement age. If you have other income and are in good health, deferral may be worth considering.
State Pension and Pension Credit
If your State Pension (and any other income) falls below the Pension Credit Guarantee Credit threshold (£227.10/week for a single person in 2025/26), you may be entitled to Pension Credit to top up the difference. 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 £6.32/week (at 2025/26 rates) — for life. The cost of a voluntary year (Class 3) is £824.20 (2025/26), making the break-even period around 2.5 years of State Pension receipt.
If you have fewer than 35 qualifying years and are approaching retirement, checking your NI record at check.gov.uk/check-state-pension is worthwhile before deciding whether to pay voluntary contributions.