The UK government has confirmed that the State Pension will rise to £230.25 per week starting in June 2025. This 4.1% increase is part of the triple lock promise and could provide significant extra income for retirees. But don’t be too quick to celebrate—only those with a complete National Insurance (NI) record will get the full amount.
If you’re nearing retirement or planning ahead, it’s important to know how State Pension works, what affects your entitlement, and what you can do to increase your future payments.
Rise
The new full State Pension from June 2025 will be:
- £230.25 per week
- £11,976 annually
This is up from the 2024 rate of £221.20 per week, thanks to the triple lock policy.
For those on the old Basic State Pension system (before April 2016), the maximum rises to £176.45 per week or £9,175 per year.
Triple
The triple lock ensures pensions go up each year by the highest of:
- Inflation (CPI)
- Average earnings growth
- 2.5%
For 2025, average earnings grew by 4.1%, so that’s what the increase is based on. It keeps pensioners’ incomes rising in line with the wider economy.
Who
Not everyone will get the full £230.25. To receive the full new State Pension, you must:
- Be at least 66 years old (rising to 67 by 2028)
- Be a man born on or after 6 June 1951 or a woman born on or after 6 June 1953
- Have 35 qualifying years of NI contributions or credits
If you have between 10 and 34 years, your pension will be lower—paid on a sliding scale. Less than 10 years usually means no State Pension.
Qualifying
You can build qualifying years by:
- Working and paying NI contributions
- Claiming benefits like Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment Support Allowance
- Receiving Child Benefit (for kids under 12)
- Acting as a full-time carer
It’s not just about employment—you may be building NI credits without realising it.
Reductions
Two common reasons people get less than the full amount:
1. Contracting Out
If you were in a contracted-out workplace pension before April 2016, you paid less NI, and part of your pension was expected to come from that scheme. This may reduce your State Pension.
2. Gaps in NI
Unpaid time, such as years spent abroad, self-employment with low earnings, or unemployment, can leave gaps in your NI record.
These can often be filled by:
- NI credits (automatically added when claiming certain benefits)
- Voluntary contributions
Voluntary
You can pay voluntary Class 3 NI contributions to fill in missing years.
- Cost per year (2025): £907.40
- Added pension per year: £305.24
- Break-even point: About 3 years into retirement
You can usually pay up to 6 years’ worth of missing NI—and sometimes even 10 if special rules apply.
Examples
Sarah has 28 qualifying years. Her pension forecast is £184/week. She pays £6,351.80 for 7 years of voluntary contributions. This boosts her State Pension to the full £230.25, increasing her lifetime income.
Alan – Age 70
Alan deferred his pension for 4 years. Thanks to the 5.8% increase per deferred year, he now receives £283.61/week instead of £230.25.
Forecast
Want to know what you’ll get? Use the State Pension forecast tool at GOV.UK.
You’ll need a Government Gateway account. Once logged in, you can:
- See your estimated weekly pension
- Find out when you can start claiming
- Check for any missing years
- Get details about topping up through voluntary payments
Extra
If your State Pension is lower than a certain threshold, Pension Credit may help.
As of 2024, you might qualify if:
- You’re single and earn under £218.15/week
- You’re a couple earning under £332.95/week
Pension Credit also unlocks:
- Free TV licence (if over 75)
- Housing and council tax help
- Cold Weather Payments
Many pensioners miss out simply because they don’t check.
While the £230.25 weekly pension sounds great, not everyone will get it automatically. The amount you receive depends on your National Insurance history, and taking the time to review your record or make voluntary contributions can pay off big time. Whether you’re years away or just about to retire, take 10 minutes today to check your forecast—you might be surprised by what you find.
FAQs
What is the new State Pension rate in 2025?
£230.25 per week, or £11,976 per year.
How many years of NI do I need?
35 years for full pension, 10 for minimum eligibility.
Can I top up missing NI years?
Yes, via Class 3 voluntary contributions.
How much is one NI year worth?
Adds about £305.24 per year to your pension.
Who qualifies for Pension Credit?
Low-income pensioners earning below set weekly thresholds.
