Five State Pension questions every adviser should turn into planning opportunities

This article first appeared in Money Marketing in August 2026.

The State Pension is a valuable part of retirement income. Secure, inflation-linked and backed by the state, it can provide a foundation for retirement planning, shaping how clients draw on pensions, ISAs and other assets throughout later life.

Despite its importance, it remains widely misunderstood. Royal London research found that almost half of those who have not yet retired have never checked their State Pension forecast, while 35% incorrectly believe the State Pension is paid automatically once they reach State Pension age.

For advisers, State Pension questions are rarely just about entitlement. Discussions about forecasts, claim age or National Insurance contributions often reveal wider planning considerations around retirement timing, withdrawal strategies, guaranteed income and survivor benefits. In practice, the same questions come up repeatedly and each one presents an opportunity to add value and help clients make more informed retirement decisions.

1. How much State Pension will I get?

This is usually the first question, and for good reason. The full rate of the new State Pension is £241.30 a week in 2026/27. However, clients should not assume that everyone receives that amount automatically. Entitlement depends primarily on the individual’s National Insurance record. Broadly, someone normally needs at least 10 qualifying years to receive anything, and 35 qualifying years to receive the full amount under the post-2016 rules. Many clients have a more complicated record because they built up entitlement before April 2016, when a transitional calculation was introduced.

For advisers, the key point is that the State Pension forecast is usually the best starting point. It shows the client’s current estimate, the date they can claim, and whether more qualifying years could increase the amount. Clients still in work may be able to add further qualifying years automatically, while others may be able to fill gaps through credits or voluntary contributions. Even relatively small improvements can enhance the sustainability of a retirement income plan.

2. Why is my forecast lower than the full amount?

This is where confusion often deepens. Many consumers believe that 35 years of National Insurance should guarantee the full amount, but that is not always true for people with a contribution history before 6 April 2016. One of the most common reasons for a lower forecast is contracting out. During periods of contracted-out employment, the individual and/or employer paid lower National Insurance, with value redirected to a workplace or private pension instead of the additional State Pension. As a result, the client may need more than 35 qualifying years overall to reach the full new State Pension amount.

Used properly, this is a good moment to link the State Pension discussion with the client’s workplace and personal pension benefits, especially where there are old defined benefit entitlements or legacy policies that the client has overlooked.

3. When can I claim the State Pension?

State Pension age is no longer static, which adds another layer of uncertainty for clients. In the current timetable, State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and future increases remain possible subject to legislation. Many clients, especially those in their early 60s, still work on the basis of “66” because that was the rule for so long. Advisers should encourage them to check their specific State Pension age rather than rely on assumptions.

The timing point matters for more than administrative reasons. Changes to State Pension age can affect retirement timing, the order in which pensions and ISAs are drawn, and the amount of bridging income required before benefits commence. A client asking “when do I get it?” is often really asking “can I afford to stop work when I planned?”

4. Can I increase my State Pension?

In many cases, yes. If the client has gaps in their National Insurance record, they may be able to improve their entitlement through additional qualifying years, either by continuing to work, claiming National Insurance credits, or paying voluntary Class 3 contributions. This is one of the most valuable areas for adviser input because it combines technical knowledge with a straightforward cost-benefit decision.

For the right client, voluntary contributions can offer an attractive inflation-linked return backed by the state. But the recommendation is not automatic. Advisers should first confirm whether the extra year will actually increase the client’s State Pension, because not every missing year adds value in every case. Transitional rules can mean some payments produce no uplift. Before paying voluntary contributions, clients should confirm that any additional years will increase their entitlement. Where an uplift is available, topping up can compare favourably with other uses of capital for those seeking secure income.

An important point to note is that it isn’t possible to top up a contracted-out year directly. However, building additional qualifying years before State Pension age may help offset the impact of contracting out.

5. What happens to the State Pension on death?

Consumers often assume that some or all of their State Pension will automatically transfer to a surviving spouse or civil partner. Under the new State Pension system, that is generally not the case. Most people build up entitlement in their own right, and the standard new State Pension does not normally pass across on death. However, there are important exceptions linked to pre-2016 rights, inherited additional State Pension and protected payments. These transitional features mean the answer depends heavily on dates and on the type of entitlement involved.

For advisers, this question should trigger a broader review of survivor income. Where one member of a couple relies heavily on the other’s pension income, the loss of income on first death can be significant. The State Pension may continue for the survivor at their own level, but inherited rights could be limited. This is particularly important where one spouse has a large defined benefit pension, the other has minimal pension wealth, and the drop in income means the survivor’s expenditure needs can no longer be met.

What advisers should focus on

State Pension questions are rarely just about the State Pension. Whether discussing forecasts, claim age, voluntary contributions or survivor benefits, advisers can add significant value by using these conversations to uncover wider retirement planning opportunities and help clients make more informed decisions.