GOV.UK
The basic State Pension
2. What you'll get
The maximum you can get is £113.10 per week.
You may have to pay tax on your basic State Pension.
Married or in a civil partnership
You can top up your State Pension to £67.80 per week if:
- you expect your basic State Pension will be less than that
- you’re married or in a civil partnership
- you meet the qualifying rules
Use the State Pension calculator to get a quick estimate or apply for a detailed State Pension statement.
You might also qualify for the Additional State Pension or, if you’re on a low income, Pension Credit.
How it’s paid
The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance number.
| Last 2 digits of your National Insurance number | Day your State Pension gets paid |
|---|---|
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
Your first payment is made at the end of the first full week after you reach State Pension age. It won’t include the time between reaching State Pension age and your normal payment day if that’s less than 1 week.
Example
You reach State Pension age on Monday 16 December 2013 and your first payday is a Friday.
The first full week ending on a Friday after the Monday you reached State Pension age is Saturday 21 December to Friday 27 December.
You won’t be paid between 16 December and 21 December because this is less than 1 week.
The basic State Pension is usually paid every 4 weeks into an account of your choice. You’re paid ‘in arrears’, ie you’re paid for the last 4 weeks, not for the coming 4 weeks.
There are different rules if you live abroad.