State Pension Profiler

The State Pension profiler uses information you provide to quickly estimate how much basic State Pension you may get. This is based on your National Insurance contributions to date. It will also tell you the earliest you may get it. Before you use the profiler, read 'Important information' below.

Important information for customers resident in Northern Ireland

The information the Profiler gives you about the earliest date you may get your State Pension is based on recent changes included in the Pensions Act 2011. This Act is applicable to Great Britain only.

In line with normal Social Security arrangements a Bill making similar changes to the State Pension age timetable is currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Subject to Assembly approval, the same changes will be made in Northern Ireland shortly.

What is the State Pension?

For most people the State Pension is made up of two parts, the basic State Pension and the additional State Pension. Some individuals may also receive Graduated Retirement Benefit if they paid graduated National Insurance contributions before 5 April 1975. Different people get different amounts.

To find out more about the basic State Pension and additional State Pension, see the following links.

Who should use the State Pension profiler?

The State Pension profiler is aimed at people who have not yet reached their State Pension age.

If you have already reached your State Pension age, the State Pension profiler may be of less relevance to you. But it may give you some important information about the State Pension.

What the State Pension profiler gives you

The State Pension profiler will give you:

an estimate of how many years of National Insurance contributions you may have to date
details of how much basic State Pension you may get based on your National Insurance contributions record to date
the earliest date you may get your State Pension, based on the rules as they apply to you – but see below if you are resident in Northern Ireland
information on how you may fill any gaps in your National Insurance (NI) contributions record
information about the State Pension, including how you may be affected by proposed changes

As the profiler uses a simplified calculation, it can’t take into account every circumstance that might affect the exact number of your qualifying years.

When making decisions about your future finances, you should not rely on this tool without seeking advice.

Estimating your additional State Pension

The State Pension profiler will not give you an estimate of any additional State Pension and, if appropriate, Graduated Retirement Benefit you may become entitled to based on your National Insurance contributions.

The amount of additional State Pension you may get depends on a number of circumstances, such as:

the amount of money you earn each year during your working life
whether you are or have ever been contracted out of the additional State Pension

You can find out more about your possible State Pension entitlement, including additional State Pension and Graduated Retirement Benefit, by getting an estimate of your State Pension.

How you get this estimate will depend on whether you are a:

woman born before 6 April 1953, man born before 6 April 1951
woman born on or after 6 April 1953, man born on or after 6 April 1951
State Pension forecast for women born before 6 April 1953 or men born before 6 April 1951
State Pension statement by telephone or post for women born on or after 6 April 1953 or men born on or after 6 April 1951

Using the profiler

The State Pension profiler will open in a new window. It will take around ten minutes to complete, depending on your personal circumstances. Use the 'Next' and 'Back' buttons on each screen to navigate through it. Please do not use your web browser's 'Forward' and 'Back' buttons, as this may cause errors.

To make sure you get the best possible information, you will be asked to give some details about yourself. This may include information about any spouse or civil partner. None of this information will be stored or shared with anyone else.

Important information

The information provided by the State Pension profiler is based on UK law as it currently stands, and on the information you provide.

State Pension age increases

The Government is considering the current timetable for future increases to the State Pension age from 66 to 68. Any change to this timetable needs the approval of Parliament. The State Pension age given to you by the Profiler is based on the current timetable for these increases, and may be subject to change.