how much is the old state pension
The old (basic) State Pension in the UK is £184.90 per week for 2026/27 for someone on the full basic rate (Category A or B), which works out at about £9,614.80 a year before tax.
Quick Scoop
- The “old State Pension” usually means the basic State Pension for people who reached pension age before 6 April 2016.
- From April 2026, the full basic rate is set at £184.90 per week.
- There are lower rates (for some spouses and non‑contributory pensions) and possible additional pension (SERPS/S2P) on top, so many people get more or less than the basic figure.
What “old State Pension” means
The “old” system applies if you reached State Pension age before April 2016 and is built from:
- A basic pension (up to £184.90 a week in 2026/27 if you have enough qualifying National Insurance years).
- An additional pension (SERPS / State Second Pension) which can add up to about £230.54 per week maximum in 2026/27 for those with a strong earnings record, though most people are below this.
So, someone on the very top end of the old system (basic + maximum additional) could be over £400 per week , but that’s unusual and depends heavily on work and NI history.
2025/26 vs 2026/27
To give a sense of the recent rise under the triple lock and wage growth:
- 2025/26 basic pension (old system): £176.45 per week.
- 2026/27 basic pension (old system): £184.90 per week (about a 4.8% rise).
The newer State Pension (for those reaching pension age on/after 6 April 2016) is higher – £241.30 per week from 2026/27 – but that is not the “old” pension you asked about.
Forum-style note and “latest news”
Recent discussions and news pieces in early 2026 highlight:
- The triple lock delivering another rise, driven mainly by wage growth rather than inflation.
- Ongoing debate over whether the State Pension (old and new) is enough to live on , especially with housing and energy costs.
- Many posters on money and retirement forums stress that the State Pension should be seen as a foundation , topped up by workplace or personal pensions where possible.
“On the old basic pension alone you’re not going to feel flush – you really notice whether you’ve got SERPS or a private pot on top.” (Typical forum- style sentiment paraphrased from UK pension guidance and commentary.)
Key figures at a glance (old/basic State Pension)
| Tax year | What | Weekly amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Full basic (old) State Pension | £176.45 | Applies if you reached pension age before April 2016 and have full NI record. | [3][9][1][5]
| 2026/27 | Full basic (old) State Pension | £184.90 | Increase of about 4.8% under uprating rules. | [1][5]
| 2026/27 | Max additional pension (SERPS/S2P) | Up to £230.54 | Only for those with strong historic earnings and contributions. | [1]
Important caveat
How much you personally get depends on:
- Your National Insurance record.
- Whether you built up SERPS / State Second Pension.
- Any periods of contracting out or credits.
For an exact figure, you’d need to check your State Pension forecast through the official UK government service, which will show both your current entitlement and what you’re on track to receive.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
