Pounds & Dollars

For Brits in Australia, and Aussies who had a stint in the UK

Worked in the UK? You could have a UK State Pension waiting

Up to A$23,800 a year, for life, paid here in Australia. You paid towards it every time National Insurance came off your UK pay, whichever passport you hold. Most people never find out.

By Pete, UK expat in Sydney · Last updated

Not your personal pension

This is the UK State Pension, paid by the UK government. It comes from the National Insurance on your UK pay, not from a pension pot. Any workplace or personal pension you left in the UK is separate.

Don't sit on it: the oldest year you can normally fill, 2020/21, can only be paid for until 5 April 2027. After that it normally can't be bought.

New to this?What is the UK State Pension?

What's it worth to you?

Put in your UK years and the free calculator shows what you're on track for, what topping up would cost, and how quickly it pays for itself. Takes about two minutes.

Use the free calculator

Or start with the one that sounds like you

Want the official version? Check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

What would you do with up to A$23,800 a year extra in retirement?

That's roughly the full UK State Pension (£12,547.60) in Aussie dollars. Every year. Over a 20-year retirement it adds up to around A$476,000. A few ideas:

Full new State Pension at 2026/27 rates, before tax, at about A$1.90 to the pound. Many people get less than the full amount, which is why so many look at topping up.

The catch: the door is slowly closing

Topping up from Australia is still possible for many people, but it's getting harder. Every Budget seems to push the door a little further shut. Recent changes:

  • April 2026: the cheap Class 2 rate for people abroad was scrapped for future years, and topping up future years now needs 10 years of UK history, up from 3.
  • State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, with 68 pencilled in for the 2040s.
  • Every 5 April, the oldest gap year you're allowed to fill normally drops out. Next to go: 2020/21, on 5 April 2027.
  • It's frozen in Australia. Live here and your pension stays at the rate you first get, with no yearly rises.

None of this means it's too late. It means it's worth finding out where you stand now, not in ten years' time.

Don't leave your UK State Pension out in the rain

A free 5-step email course for Brits in Australia (and Aussies who worked in the UK). One small step at a time, each under an hour, and nothing costs a cent. Your retired self could be very glad you did this!

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General information about the UK rules, not financial advice. Whether paying voluntary National Insurance is right for you depends on your own circumstances. I'm not a licensed financial adviser.

Figures are 2026/27 rates; check your own forecast with GOV.UK.