Sunita Somvanshi
Women approaching State Pension age have a straightforward question right now: will they actually be paid more than men? For years the answer was no — women routinely received less on average. That is expected to flip as early as next year, according to pension experts, driven by changes to the State Pension system introduced a decade ago. Here is what the latest data show and what it means for your own entitlement.
What the current figures show
The Department for Work and Pensions published its latest statistics showing that at March 2026, men receiving the new State Pension were paid an average of £217.99 a week, while women received £214.54. The gap is much smaller under the new system. Under the old system, men routinely received far more, in part because SERPS payments were tied to lifetime earnings and contribution history.
The standard full new State Pension for 2026/27 stands at £241.30 a week — the standard full rate for men and women alike. Whether you reach that amount depends primarily on how many qualifying National Insurance years you have built up. Pre-2016 records and contracted-out histories can affect the final calculation — people who contracted out of the Additional State Pension may need more than 35 years to reach the full rate.
Former Pensions Minister Sir Steve Webb, who was involved in the policy development of the new State Pension, told reporters he expects women to receive higher average payments than men from 2027 onwards. That expectation is based on demographic trends, not an official Department for Work and Pensions forecast.
Why the crossover is expected to happen
The new State Pension replaced the old system in April 2016. The old arrangement included the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme, known as SERPS, which paid higher amounts to workers with higher lifetime earnings. Since men historically earned more and had fewer career gaps, they built up larger SERPS entitlements.
As the older generation of pensioners — who built up those SERPS rights — gradually leaves the system, their payments no longer pull up the male average. The new system places much greater weight on the National Insurance record, while transitional and protected-payment rules still matter for those with pre-2016 records. That shift in composition is what experts believe will tip the average in women's favour.
The House of Commons Library notes that DWP data show the new State Pension has evened out some of the gap that existed under the old system. Understanding how National Insurance years are built up is important context for anyone approaching retirement.
What this does not mean for individual women
The crossover in averages does not mean every woman will receive more than every man. Under the new State Pension, 35 qualifying years is the standard requirement for those whose National Insurance record began entirely after April 2016. People with pre-2016 records or who were contracted out of the Additional State Pension may need more than 35 qualifying years to reach the full rate.
Women who have gaps in their record — from years spent in part-time work or career breaks — may receive less than those with unbroken records. Some caring responsibilities generate National Insurance credits and would not create a gap. Women with strong NI histories can reach the same standard full pension rate as anyone else, subject to any transitional or protected-payment rules that apply to their individual record.
The gap is currently £3.45 a week on average, based on the latest March 2026 figures. That is significantly smaller than what existed under the pre-2016 system.
How to check your own entitlement
The Government's Check Your State Pension forecast tool at Gov.uk shows your personal entitlement based on your actual NI record. It also shows any gaps in your record, though whether filling a gap is financially worthwhile depends on individual circumstances, including your proximity to State Pension age. If you are looking at topping up NI contributions, the deadline rules have changed in recent years and are worth reviewing separately.
The State Pension age is being increased from 66 to 67 in stages between April 2026 and March 2028. The exact age at which someone reaches State Pension age now depends on their date of birth.
What to watch next
The next annual DWP statistics, when published, will show whether the projected crossover has happened. Any change to the State Pension rate for 2027/28 will also be announced by the government in advance of the new tax year. Check back when those figures are published for an updated breakdown.
