State pension calculator, 2026/27

How this is calculated

The full new state pension is £241.30 a week from 6 April 2026, and is normally reached with 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits. Fewer than 35 years generally gives a pro-rata amount, which is what this calculator estimates by dividing your qualifying years by 35 and multiplying by the full weekly rate.

Most people need at least 10 qualifying years to get any new state pension at all. Someone with a mixed National Insurance history, including periods contracted out of the additional state pension before 2016, may have a different 'starting amount' that does not follow this simple pro-rata rule exactly, which is why an official forecast is the definitive source.

This calculator is therefore an estimate for planning purposes, not a substitute for checking your actual forecast through the GOV.UK 'Check your State Pension forecast' service.

Why directors need to check this

A director paying themselves a salary below the lower earnings limit does not build a qualifying year through that employment, even though no employee National Insurance is due, because a qualifying year requires earnings at or above the lower earnings limit or sufficient NI credits.

Many director salary strategies deliberately set pay just above the lower earnings limit specifically to protect a qualifying year at minimal National Insurance cost, which is worth checking against your own payroll figures each year.

Filling gaps

Voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions can sometimes fill gaps in your record, and Class 2 contributions may be available and cheaper if you also have self-employed profits, both of which can increase your eventual state pension for a relatively modest outlay depending on how many years you buy.

Deferring your state pension past state pension age also increases the eventual weekly amount, which is a separate decision from the qualifying years calculation shown here.

How many qualifying years do I need for the full state pension?

Typically 35 qualifying years under the new state pension rules, though your own starting amount may differ if you have periods contracted out of the additional state pension before April 2016.

Does drawing a low director's salary affect my state pension?

It can. If your salary is below the lower earnings limit for a tax year, you may not build a qualifying year from that employment, even though you pay no National Insurance, which is why many director salaries are set just above that limit.

Can I buy back missing years?

Yes, voluntary Class 3 contributions, or Class 2 if you also have self-employed income, can fill gaps in your National Insurance record within certain time limits, potentially increasing your eventual state pension.

Where can I get an exact figure?

The GOV.UK 'Check your State Pension forecast' service gives your actual entitlement based on your full National Insurance record; this calculator only gives an estimate based on a simple pro-rata assumption.