State Pension Companion 2026/27
State Pension rules are complicated. Finding the answer to your question shouldn't be.
Have a State Pension question? Find the answer quickly.
FIND YOUR QUESTION - CLICK IT - GO STRAIGHT TO THE ANSWER
The UK State Pension Companion 2026/27 is a 142-page interactive PDF designed to help you understand both the Old State Pension and the New State Pension.
Rather than reading from beginning to end, simply use the clickable Question Finders to identify the issue you need help with and go straight to the detailed answer.
The Companion covers a wide range of State Pension questions and problems, including:
- why 35 qualifying years may not always mean a full New State Pension;
- how the April 2016 starting amount works;
- contracting out and how it can affect your State Pension;
- National Insurance records, qualifying years and credits;
- voluntary National Insurance contributions and whether filling gaps may help;
- understanding your State Pension forecast;
- checking how your State Pension has been calculated;
- Additional State Pension, SERPS and State Second Pension;
- deferring your State Pension;
- inheritance and State Pension;
- divorce and State Pension;
- living or retiring overseas;
- what to do when your figures do not appear to make sense; and
- what information to gather before contacting DWP or HMRC.
Each main question leads to detailed explanations, practical next steps, key figures and rules, common mistakes to avoid, information to gather before seeking help, and useful questions you may need to ask.
The Companion is designed to help you:
- understand the State Pension rules that may apply to you;
- examine your own National Insurance record, forecast or pension award more confidently;
- identify where further information may be needed;
- prepare before contacting DWP, HMRC or the Future Pension Centre; and
- keep a reliable reference that you can return to whenever another State Pension question arises.
A clickable reference—not a book you must read from beginning to end
Find the relevant question, click it and go directly to the answer. Each answer also includes a clickable control to return you to the appropriate Question Finder.
The Companion explains what to check, what information to have ready, which department may be able to help and the questions you may need to ask when something does not appear to add up.
Important product information
- Format: Downloadable interactive PDF
- Length: 142 pages
- Coverage: Old and New State Pension systems
- Figures and rules: 2026/27
- Accurate at: 31 July 2026
This Companion provides general information and guidance. It does not provide individual financial, legal or tax advice, and it cannot determine your personal State Pension entitlement without access to your official records.
A NOTE ABOUT PRINTING
This is a substantial 142-page interactive digital Companion, designed primarily to be used on screen. You do not need to print the whole Companion — simply use the Question Finder, click the question you need and go straight to the answer. Individual pages can, of course, be printed if you prefer.
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PREFER A PAPERBACK OR KINDLE?
The UK State Pension Companion 2026/27 is also available in Paperback and Kindle on Amazon UK.
Paperback & Kindle on Amazon UK: