The New State Pension is set to rise to £241.30 per week from April 6
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Rory Poulter
11:50, 20 Feb 2026
Three groups of people are most at risk of missing out on the complete State Pension payment(Image: Milan_Jovic via Getty Images)
The New and Basic State Pensions are due to increase by 4.8 per cent from April 6, whilst additional State Pension components will go up by 3.8 per cent. The yearly uprating means those receiving the full New State Pension will get £241.30 weekly, whilst those on the maximum Basic State Pension will receive £184.90 each week.
However, numerous State Pensioners and people nearing retirement age will not qualify for the full sum – with some potentially receiving a considerably smaller weekly payment.
Three groups of people are most at risk of missing out on the complete State Pension payment. These comprise those who haven’t accumulated sufficient qualifying National Insurance years, people who were ‘contracted out’ prior to 2016, and British citizens who have relocated overseas in retirement.
The full New State Pension will increase to £241.30 a week from April, but millions of people are likely to receive less due to National Insurance gaps, past contracting-out rules or where they live.(Image: Getty )
1. Insufficient National Insurance years
To be eligible for the full New State Pension, most people require 35 qualifying years of National Insurance (NI) contributions or credits, reports the Daily Record.
You typically need a minimum of 10 qualifying years to receive any State Pension whatsoever. If you possess fewer than 35 years, your State Pension is proportionally reduced. For instance, someone with 30 qualifying years would receive 30/35ths of the complete rate.
Gaps can happen for several reasons:
Time spent out of workPeriods of low earningsLiving or working abroadNot claiming NI credits while caring or unemployedSome forms of self-employment
Many people do not realise they have gaps until they check their State Pension forecast. This can be done online at GOV.UK.
It is possible to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions in some circumstances to fill missing years, but strict time limits apply. Full details on this and how to check your NI record can be found on GOV.UK.
2. Contracted out before 2016
People who belonged to certain workplace or public sector pension schemes prior to April 2016 may have been ‘contracted out’ of the additional State Pension.
This arrangement meant they paid reduced NI contributions at the time, with the understanding that their workplace pension would compensate for the shortfall.
When the New State Pension was introduced in 2016, everyone received a ‘starting amount’. For many who had been contracted out, this initial figure was lower than the full new rate.
Whilst people could accumulate additional entitlement after 2016 by continuing to pay NI, some will still fall short of the full £241.30 figure. This frequently comes as a surprise to retirees who assume they automatically qualify for the maximum payment.
3. Some people living overseas
UK State Pension regulations also impact some pensioners residing abroad. Whilst entitlement remains based on NI contributions, annual increases aren’t applied in certain countries that lack a reciprocal social security agreement with the UK.
This means some expats receive a ‘frozen’ State Pension, fixed at the rate initially paid when they retired abroad, rather than benefiting from the annual uprating. Whilst this doesn’t diminish the entitlement someone has accrued, it can lead to overseas pensioners receiving significantly less than the current full rate.
How to check your State Pension payment
Anyone can check their State Pension forecast online at GOV.UK.
This shows:
Your current NI recordWhether you are on track for the full amountHow much you are estimated to receiveWhether you can improve your entitlement
Many people only discover they are short of the full rate when they request a forecast – often just a few years before retirement.
State Pension Rates 2026/27
Full New State Pension
Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)Four-weekly pay period: £965.20Annual amount: £12,547
Full Basic State Pension
Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)Four-weekly pay period: £739.60Annual amount: £9,614
Other State Pension rates
Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)
The new payment rates will start on April 6.
Check your State Pension age
Check your State Pension age to find out when you can retire and claim State pension using the free online tool at GOV.UK here.
This will tell you:
when you will reach State Pension ageyour Pension Credit qualifying age
We have a dedicated section for the latest news on the State Pension here.
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