Do Immigrants Get the State Pension in the UK

Do Immigrants Get the State Pension in the UK?

If you have moved to the UK from another country, you may be wondering whether you can receive the UK State Pension. The good news is that immigrants can qualify for the State Pension — but there are specific rules around residency, National Insurance contributions, and immigration status.

This article explains how the State Pension works for immigrants, who is eligible, how to build up qualifying years, and how overseas pensions may affect your entitlement.

What is the UK State Pension?

The State Pension is a regular payment from the UK Government for people who have reached State Pension age and have made enough National Insurance (NI) contributions during their working life.

There are two systems:

• The new State Pension (for those reaching pension age on or after 6 April 2016)

• The basic State Pension (for those who reached pension age before that date)

As of the 2024–25 tax year, the full new State Pension is £221.20 per week, but the amount you receive depends on your NI record.

Can immigrants get the UK State Pension?

Yes — immigrants can receive the UK State Pension, regardless of their nationality, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. These include:

1. Having legal residence in the UK

2. Making sufficient National Insurance contributions or having qualifying credits

3. Reaching State Pension age (currently 66)

You do not need to be a British citizen to qualify for the State Pension, but you must have the right to live and work in the UK and meet the contribution requirements.

How many years of National Insurance do you need?

To qualify for the new State Pension, you need:

• At least 10 qualifying years to receive anything

• 35 qualifying years to receive the full State Pension

A qualifying year means a year in which you either:

• Worked and paid NI contributions

• Received NI credits (e.g. for unemployment, illness, or caring responsibilities)

• Paid voluntary NI contributions

Immigrants who move to the UK later in life may not have enough UK qualifying years but could still receive a partial State Pension.

What if you worked or lived abroad?

If you’ve worked in another country before moving to the UK, you might still qualify for the UK State Pension through Social Security agreements. The UK has reciprocal arrangements with some countries that allow periods of work abroad to count towards your State Pension record.

These include:

• Countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland

• Certain countries with a Social Security agreement (e.g. Canada, New Zealand, the USA)

In most cases, you must have at least some NI contributions in the UK to benefit from these arrangements.

You should contact the International Pension Centre for guidance on how your overseas work affects your UK pension eligibility.

Can immigrants pay voluntary contributions?

Yes. If you’re short of qualifying years, you can pay voluntary Class 3 NI contributions to top up your record. This can be particularly helpful if you:

• Moved to the UK in mid-life

• Had gaps in your employment

• Lived abroad for extended periods

Whether it is worth doing depends on your age, circumstances, and how many years you’re missing. You can check your record and get personalised advice using the State Pension forecast service at www.gov.uk/check-state-pension.

How to claim the State Pension as an immigrant

If you qualify, you can claim your State Pension once you reach State Pension age, even if you later move abroad.

Steps:

1. Check your NI record and State Pension forecast

2. Apply for a UK State Pension (online, by phone, or by post)

3. Provide documentation about your residence and contribution history

4. If applicable, liaise with the International Pension Centre about overseas service

If you’re living in the UK, your State Pension will be paid into your UK bank account. If you retire abroad, you may still receive payments, but increases may not apply if you live in a country without a reciprocal agreement.

Will your State Pension increase if you live abroad?

The UK Government only pays annual State Pension increases (known as uprating) if you live in:

• The UK

• The EEA or Switzerland

• A country with a reciprocal Social Security agreement (e.g. the USA)

If you live in a country that does not have an agreement (such as Australia or Canada), your pension will be frozen at the rate first paid to you abroad.

Final thoughts

Immigrants can receive the UK State Pension, provided they meet the same eligibility rules as anyone else. You don’t need to be a British citizen, but you do need to have made at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions or credits.

If you’ve lived or worked abroad, you may be able to count time from overseas towards your UK record. And if you’re short of qualifying years, voluntary contributions may help fill the gap.

Checking your State Pension forecast and getting advice early gives you the best chance to build a reliable income for later life — no matter where you’re from.