How does your state pension compare?
Understand the differences between the old and new state pension systems, average payments, eligibility rules, and practical steps to maximise your entitlement.
Direct answer
The basic state pension pays about £207 per week on average, while the new state pension pays about £216 per week on average for 2025-26. Eligibility depends on your National Insurance record and whether you were contracted out before 2016. You can check your forecast, fill gaps with voluntary contributions, or delay claiming to increase weekly payments.
How does your state pension compare?
What's happening
The UK state pension system has two main versions. The old, or basic, state pension applies to people who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016. The new state pension applies to those who reached state pension age on or after that date. Government data shows that the gap between the two systems has narrowed, but many people still do not know exactly how much they will receive.
Why it matters
Understanding the difference helps you plan retirement income. The headline rates for 2026‑27 are £184.90 per week for the basic pension and £241.30 per week for the new pension, but actual payments vary based on National Insurance (NI) records and whether you were contracted out before 2016. Recent DWP figures show average weekly payments of £207 for the basic pension and £216 for the new pension in 2025‑26.
Who is affected
- People who started receiving state pension before 6 April 2016 are on the basic system.
- Those who reached state pension age on or after 6 April 2016 are on the new system.
- Eligibility for the full new state pension requires 35 qualifying NI years; a minimum of 10 years is needed to receive any payment.
- Women’s average payments have risen to 91% of men’s payments, reflecting the policy aim to close the gender gap.
What to do next
- Check your entitlement – Use the government’s state pension forecast service to see exactly how much you are on track to receive and identify any gaps in your NI record.
- Fill gaps – If you have missing years, you can make voluntary Class 3 contributions. For 2025‑26 this costs £17.75 per week (£923 for a full year) and can add around £7,200 over a 20‑year retirement.
- Consider deferring – You do not have to claim your pension at the earliest age. For each full year you delay, your weekly payment rises by about 5.8%. Deferring a year on the new full pension would add roughly £14 per week (£728 per year).
These steps can help you maximise the state pension you are entitled to receive.
Sources
How does your state pension compare?
Key facts
- Basic state pension average (2025‑26): £207 per week
- New state pension average (2025‑26): £216 per week
- Full new state pension requirement: 35 qualifying NI years
- Voluntary contribution cost (2025‑26): £17.75 per week
- Gender pay gap narrowing: Women now receive 91% of men’s average payments
Key entities
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – publishes the official pension data
- AJ Bell – conducted the survey referenced in the article
- Government Gateway – required to access the state pension forecast service
Comparison and alternatives
| Option | What it does | Typical impact |
|---|---|---|
| Check entitlement | Confirms expected weekly amount | Prevents missing out on owed payments |
| Fill NI gaps | Adds qualifying years | Can increase weekly payment by up to £14 if a full year is added |
| Defer pension | Delays receipt of payments | Increases weekly amount by ~5.8% per year deferred |
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between the basic and new state pension? A: The basic pension applies to those who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016; the new pension applies to those who reached it on or after that date. Payment amounts and eligibility rules differ.
Q: How many National Insurance years do I need for the full new state pension? A: You need 35 qualifying years. You receive a proportionate amount if you have between 10 and 35 years.
Q: Can I make voluntary contributions to increase my pension? A: Yes. You can pay Class 3 contributions to fill missing years. For 2025‑26 the cost is £17.75 per week (£923 for a full year).
Q: Does delaying my state pension increase the amount I receive? A: Yes. Each full year you defer increases your weekly payment by about 5.8%, which can add roughly £14 per week on the new full pension.
This post is based on the latest data available from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Which? Consumer News article published on 21 April 2026.
Key takeaways
- The gap between the old and new state pension payments has narrowed.
- Average weekly payments for 2025-26 are £207 for the basic pension and £216 for the new pension.
- Full new state pension requires 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions.
- Voluntary contributions can fill gaps and add roughly £7,200 over a 20‑year retirement.
- Delaying your pension can increase weekly payments by about 5.8% per year deferred.