State Retirement Pensions

Question

As of the quarter ending May 23,

1. There are 2,350,493 people in receipt of the pre-2016 basic State Pension that do not receive the full amount. This represents 25% of the pre-2016 State Pension population.
2. There are 1,670,257 people in receipt of the post-2016 new State Pension that do not receive the full amount. This represents 49% of the post-2016 new State Pension population.

Source: Stat-Xplore - Table View (dwp.gov.uk) Please note, statistical disclosure control has been applied to these estimates to avoid the release of confidential data. Where relevant, totals may not sum due to the disclosure control applied.

There are a range of reasons for why an individual may not get the full rate of State Pension as the amount of State Pension paid to individuals varies depending on their National Insurance record.

In addition to the basic State Pension (pre-2016) people may also receive some earnings-related additional State Pension. For most individuals reaching State Pension age in the early years of the new State Pension (Post-2016), transitional arrangements apply. Under these arrangements, people could have a State Pension of more or less than the full rate of new State Pension depending on their National Insurance record when they reach State Pension age. The average amounts people receive are available on Stat-Xplore.

It is also possible that some of these people may qualify for income related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.