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State Pension

State Pension is paid to those who are eligible, over State Pension age and who have claimed it. You may be eligible for the following types of State Pension:

• basic State Pension
• additional State Pension

Changes to State Pension age

The State Pension age is increasing. To find out more see ‘Calculating your State Pension age’.

• Calculating your State Pension age

Basic State Pension - what is it?

Anyone who has enough qualifying years from their National Insurance (NI) contributions record is entitled to some basic State Pension. Find out more about qualifying for basic State Pension and how much you can get. Or use the State Pension profiler to estimate how much basic State Pension you may get and when you can claim it. This simple tool will also help you see how you are affected by recent changes to the State Pension.

• Qualifying for a basic State Pension

• Claiming the State Pension

• State Pension profiler

Additional State Pension

An additional State Pension can give you extra money on top of your basic State Pension. It is also sometimes called the State Second Pension (it used to be called the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS)). You may be entitled to additional State Pension if you're employed, looking after a child or caring for someone. Find out if you are eligible for additional State Pension.

• Additional State Pension

Pension Credit – if you’re on a low income in retirement

In certain circumstances, you may be able to get Pension Credit. Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of two components: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

Guarantee Credit

Guarantee Credit works by topping up your weekly income. You may receive more Guarantee Credit if, for example, you are severely disabled, a carer or have housing costs such as a mortgage. To apply for Guarantee Credit - you must have reached the minimum Pension Credit qualifying age. For more information, see 'Pension Credit - introduction'.

• Pension Credit - introduction

Savings Credit

The age from which you can get the Savings Credit is 65. However, from March 2019 this will gradually increase in line with the increase in State Pension age. If you're currently aged 65 or over and living in Great Britain and have made some provision towards your retirement - for example, savings or a second pension - you may be entitled to Savings Credit. You may get the Savings Credit on its own or with the Guarantee Credit.

Find out if you're eligible for Pension Credit, can get a Pension Credit estimate and how to apply for Pension Credit. See the link 'Pension Credit - introduction'.

• Pension Credit - introduction

State Pension and Pension Credit rates

How much State Pension or Pension Credit you can get depends on your circumstances. To find out more about pension rates, see ‘State Pension and Pension Credit rate: how much can you get’.

• State Pension and Pension Credit rate: how much can you get?

Personal pensions

Personal pensions are available from banks, building societies and life insurance companies who will invest your savings on your behalf.

You can save as much as you want into a personal pension. You will get tax relief on the amount you put in up to the annual allowance. Read 'Tax and your personal pension' for further information on tax relief.

Find out if a personal pension would be suitable for you in 'Understanding personal pensions'.

• Understanding personal pensions

• Pension rules from April 2006

Stakeholder pensions

Stakeholder pensions are a type of personal pension that have to meet certain legal standards which are designed to make sure they are good value.

Find out more about these standards and whether a stakeholder pension may be appropriate for you in 'Stakeholder pensions'.

• Stakeholder pensions

Company pensions

Company pensions are set up by employers to provide pensions for their employees on retirement. They are also sometimes called occupational or workplace pensions.

Rules vary for different company pensions but money can be paid into the pension from:

• both your salary and your employer
• your salary only
• your employer only

You will get tax relief on the amount you put in up to the annual allowance.

Find out more about the different types of company pensions in 'Understanding company pensions'.

From 2012 there will be a new way of saving at work. In the new system your employer will automatically enrol you into a pension unless you are already in a suitable scheme. Enrolment will be easy and you will be able to opt out if you want.

• Understanding company pensions

• Tax relief on pension contributions

Group personal pensions through your employer

Your employer may arrange for a pension provider to set up a personal pension through your workplace. A personal pension (including a stakeholder pension) arranged in this way is called a 'Group Personal Pension Plan'. Although they are sometimes referred to as company pensions, they are not run by employers.

Find out more about this type of pension in 'Personal pension plans through your employer'.

• Personal pension plans through your employer

Benefits in retirement

As well as your State Pension, you may qualify for a number of other age related benefits.

See ‘Benefits in retirement’ to find out more about Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payment, Veterans’ benefits.

To find out if you qualify for other concessions such as the Senior Railcard or free TV licence, see ‘Concessions and other help’.

• Benefits in retirement

• Concessions and other help

More useful links

• Report your change of address, bank details or other circumstances to The Pension Service

• Making a complaint about The Pension Service

• Who to contact at The Pension Service