State Pension
The State Pension is a regular payment made to you by the government once you reach State Pension age. There are two types of State Pension and both are based on your previous National Insurance contribution record.
What types of State Pension are there?
The new State Pension came into effect in 2016, replacing the old State Pension which existed before it. Which pension applies to you depends on whether you reached State Pension age before the new State Pension came into force (see the table below).
The new State Pension
The old State Pension
What State Pension would I claim?
Use our chart to find out which state pension you should claim:
|
Gender |
Date of birth |
Pension |
|
Female |
Before 6 April 1953 |
Old State Pension |
|
Female |
On or after 6 April 1953 |
New State Pension |
|
Male |
Before 6 April 1951 |
Old State Pension |
|
Male |
On or after 6 April 1951 |
New State Pension |
Why are there two State Pensions?
The new State Pension was introduced in 2016 to replace the old State Pension (sometimes referred to as 'the basic State Pension'). Those who already qualified for the old State Pension will continue to receive it, but new claimants receive the new State Pension. Eventually, the old State Pension will be phased out completely.
When will I reach State Pension age?
State Pension age has previously been 66 years old for both men and women for a number of years. However, it will gradually be increasing from May 2026.
This will mean that for people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, State Pension age will be 66 plus a specified number of months – this will depend on the date of their birthday (as an example, someone born on 1 May 1960 would have a State Pension age of 66 years and 1 month, whereas someone born on 1 March 1961 would have a State Pension age of 66 years and 11 months).
Meanwhile, people born from 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977 will reach State Pension age on their 67th birthday (there is a further gradual rise to 68 planned for those born from 6 April 1977 onwards, though this may be reviewed by the government).
Checking your State Pension age
If you're unsure, you can check when you'll receive your State Pension on the government's GOV.UK website, using their State Pension calculator.
Claiming your State Pension
You won't get your State Pension automatically – you have to claim it.
You should get an invitation letter from the Pension Service around 4 months before you reach State Pension age. You'll have the choice to claim it then or to defer it and receive higher payments in the future instead.
Deferring might mean you get more pension when you do claim – but it can also affect any benefits you get now. It's best to seek advice if you're thinking about deferring.
Further information
For more information call Age Cymru Advice on 0300 303 44 98