You can get a state pension if you have reached pension age, you meet the national insurance contribution conditions (see Box K.1 ) and, where necessary, have made a claim. If you do not draw your state pension at pension age, you may get extra state pension when you do start to claim (see 4 below ).

Pension age – There is now an equal pension age for men and women; this is currently 66. It will be increased to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028, and to 68 by April 2039. To find out your pension age (which depends on your date of birth), contact the Pension Service or check the state pension calculator at www.gov.uk/state-pension-age .