£169.50 Weekly UK State Pension Set for June 2025 – Check Eligibility Criteria and Payment Date

The UK government has announced that the basic State Pension will increase to £169.50 per week starting in June 2025. This change is designed to help pensioners cope with inflation and rising living costs. But how much you receive depends on several key factors including your age, National Insurance (NI) contribution history, and any additional entitlements.

In this guide, we’ll explain who qualifies for the new payment, how to check your entitlement, and what you can do to maximise your pension income.

Overview

Here’s a quick breakdown of the updated pension system starting in June 2025:

Who Is Eligible?

You’ll only qualify for the basic State Pension (not the new State Pension) if:

• You’re a man born before 6 April 1951
• You’re a woman born before 6 April 1953

Anyone born after these dates will fall under the new State Pension rules, which have different qualifying criteria and payment structures.

National Insurance Contributions

You need at least 30 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions to receive the full £169.50 per week.

Qualifying years can come from:

• Employment or self-employment contributions
• NI credits (e.g., while receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance or caring for a child or elderly relative)
• Voluntary contributions (Class 3 payments if you have gaps)

If you have fewer than 30 qualifying years, you’ll get a reduced pension amount.

How to Check Your Entitlement

You can easily check your pension status using one of the following options:

• Visit the State Pension Forecast tool on GOV.UK
• Request a written statement by post
• Call the Pension Service to ask for a breakdown of your contributions

These tools will help you estimate your weekly payment and whether voluntary NI contributions are worth considering.

What Is the Additional State Pension?

Before April 2016, there were two ways to earn more than the basic State Pension:

1. SERPS (State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme)

Available to higher earners, this scheme let people build up extra pension based on their earnings.

2. State Second Pension (S2P)

Designed to benefit low to middle-income earners, S2P offered an opportunity to increase retirement income.

If you contributed to either of these before 2016, your total weekly pension may exceed the new £169.50 limit.

Deferring Your Pension

You can delay claiming your State Pension if you want a higher weekly amount. Here’s how it works:

• For every 5 weeks you defer, your pension increases by 1%
• Over a year, that adds up to about 10.4% extra

Why Defer?

• You’re still working and don’t need the pension right away
• You have other income sources
• You prefer a higher pension later on

Keep in mind: Any deferral bonus is taxed like regular pension income when you eventually start receiving it.

How to Apply for the State Pension

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Receive an Invitation

You’ll get a letter from the Pension Service about 4 months before you reach State Pension age.

2. Apply Using One of These Options:

• Online: Visit the GOV.UK website and follow the pension claim instructions
• Phone: Call the State Pension claim line for support
• By Post: Download, fill in, and return the pension claim form

3. Information You’ll Need:

• Your National Insurance number
• Your bank or building society details
• Any information about previous deferrals or extra pension rights

Once your claim is processed, your payments will be deposited weekly or monthly into your chosen account.

If you’re nearing retirement age, take time now to check your NI record and make sure everything is up to date. If you’re short of qualifying years, consider voluntary contributions to top up your entitlement. Also, if you’re eligible for Pension Credit, housing support, or winter fuel payments, apply early to avoid delays.

The increase to £169.50 per week is a positive step, but getting the full amount depends on how prepared you are. Stay proactive, informed, and organised.

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