Website of the UK government

The State Pension profiler

The State Pension profiler is a simple tool. It does not access your National Insurance (NI) contributions record, so you do not need a Government Gateway account to use it. Instead, it uses information that you enter about what you have done during your working life to quickly give you:

• an estimate of how many qualifying years you may have to date
• details of how much basic State Pension those qualifying years may give you
• the earliest date you may get your State Pension
• 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

• State Pension profiler

If you want an estimate of your basic and additional State Pensions using your NI contributions record, you should get a State Pension forecast.

State Pension forecasts

A State Pension forecast gives you more detailed information on the State Pension you may get when you reach State Pension age. It is based on your NI contributions record.

• What is in a State Pension forecast?

Information you'll need to apply for a State Pension forecast

You will need the following information to apply for a forecast:

• your NI number (and that of your late or former spouse or civil partner, if you are bereaved, divorced or have had your civil partnership dissolved)
• details of the types of NI contributions you are paying (this depends, for example, on whether you are employed or self-employed) 
• details of any marriages, civil partnerships (including marriages annulled or civil partnerships dissolved)  
• details of any time you have spent working outside the UK
• details of your current salary if you are paid by an employer (rather than self-employed)

If you are not sure what type of NI contributions you are paying, find out more on the following page.

• National Insurance - the basics

How do I get a State Pension forecast?

If you live in the UK, you can get a forecast online, by telephone or by post. If you live outside the UK, you can get a forecast by telephone or by post.

Getting a forecast online

You can get a forecast online if all of the following conditions apply - you:

• live in the UK  
• are more than four months away from age 60, if you are a woman, or age 65, if you are a man  
• are not widowed or your civil partner is still alive
• have not already reached your State Pension age 
• have a Government Gateway account

While The Pension Service aims to provide a forecast online to everyone who wishes to use this service, this is not always possible. If The Pension Service cannot give you a forecast online, it can send you a forecast by post.

Technical problems using the online State Pension forecast

See 'Technical advice for using the online State Pension forecast service' if you are having problems with your computer.

• Technical advice for using the online State Pension forecast service

Activate your Government Gateway account

If you have recently received a letter to activate your Government Gateway account, click the following link.

• Apply for a State Pension forecast

Getting a forecast by telephone

You can telephone the State Pension forecasting team to get a forecast if both of the following conditions apply - you:

• are more than 30 days away from State Pension age 
• have not already reached your State Pension age

The State Pension forecasting team will fill out the form for you and send you a forecast in the post in around ten working days.

• Contact the State Pension forecasting team

Getting a forecast by post

To get a forecast by post, both of the following conditions must apply - you:

• are more than 30 days away from State Pension age  
• have not already have reached your State Pension age

You will need to download and complete an application form. Below are links to two versions of the application form:

• the first version should be printed out and completed by hand
• the second version can be completed on your computer before it is printed out

You should send the form you have completed to:

State Pension Forecasting Team
The Pension Service
Tyneview Park
Whitley Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA 
England

It may take around ten working days to prepare your forecast from when your application is received.

• Download 'Application form for a State Pension forecast – print (BR19)' (PDF, 207K)

• Download 'Application form for a State Pension forecast – interactive (BR19)' (PDF, 263K)

• Help with PDF files

What if you are already over State Pension age?

If you are already over State Pension age and have put off claiming your State Pension, you can still get an estimate of your entitlement. This will be based on the date you intend to claim in the future.

You can either:

• Contact The Pension Service if you live in UK

• Contact the International Caseworker Team if you live outside UK

Understanding your State Pension forecast

If you have received your State Pension forecast and need further help understanding what it means, read ‘Understanding the State Pension forecast’.

• Understanding your State Pension forecast

National Insurance and your State Pension forecast

If you have received your State Pension forecast and need help understanding the affect National Insurance may have on your forecast, then read the following.

• National Insurance and your State Pension forecast

More useful links

• Combined Pension Forecasting - find out more on Business Link Opens new window