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Claiming the basic State Pension

The Pension Service will write to you before you reach your State Pension age. They will explain your options, including how to claim your State Pension or how you can put it off until later. Find out what to do if you are not contacted.

When to claim your State Pension

You can claim your State Pension when you reach your State Pension age. Not everyone has the same State Pension age, so you need to find out what yours is.

Four months before you reach your State Pension age, The Pension Service will write to you. The letter will tell you if you need to claim your State Pension. If you're getting certain social security benefits you may not need to make a claim.

How to claim your State Pension

The most convenient way to claim your State Pension is online.This is a secure protected service that is available 24 hours a day.It allows you to make your claim at your own pace and you can save your claim at any time and return to it later.

If you are getting certain social security benefits you may not need to make a claim.

If you are unable to claim State Pension online you can contact the State Pension Claim line:

  • Telephone: 0808 100 2658
  • Textphone: 0808 100 2198

Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (except public holidays)

You can also download the State Pension claim form, print it out, then complete and send it to The Pension Service. But this may take more time than using the phone.

What to do if you’re not contacted about your State Pension

If you have not heard from The Pension Service when you are three months from your State Pension age then you'll need to contact The Pension Service on 0808 100 2658. Textphone:0800 100 2198, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (except public holidays).

Checklist of what you need when you make your claim

You will need the following to hand when you make a claim:

  • your National Insurance number
  • your current address and postcode, plus your last two addresses
  • your tax reference number (you can find this on HM Revenue & Customs forms P45 or P60, or any letter you’ve had from them)
  • your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s details, if you are married or you’re in a civil partnership, including their National Insurance number, if possible
  • the date of your marriage/civil partnership
  • relevant details if you’re divorced or widowed or your civil partnership has been dissolved or you’re a surviving civil partner
  • details of any social security benefits or entitlements that you or your husband, wife or civil partner are getting or waiting to hear about
  • your social security number and relevant dates you were outside the UK - if you haveever lived or worked outside the UK
  • details of the account you wish to have your State Pension paid directly into

All the information you give is confidential. To ensure a high standard of service, all phone calls are recorded for security, training and quality purposes.

Qualifying for a basic State Pension

Your basic State Pension is based on your National Insurance contributions (NICs).

Find out how you qualify for your basic State Pension.

How much State Pension you’ll get

To get an estimate of how much State Pension you may get, see ‘Getting a State Pension forecast’.

How the State Pension is paid

Your State Pension is paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account that accepts Direct Debit payment.

If you’re registered blind or need a carer to collect your money, you can be sent a cheque to cash at the Post Office.

Putting off claiming your State Pension until later

You don't have to claim your State Pension as soon as you reach State Pension age.

You may be able to put off (defer) claiming until later. You may either get extra weekly State Pension on top of your usual weekly State Pension or a one-off taxable lump sum payment. See ‘State Pension deferral’ to find out more.

What to do if your circumstances change

You should tell The Pension Service if you:

More useful links

Do it online

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