State Pension: report a change in your circumstances
If you live in Northern Ireland, to receive all the benefits that you are entitled to, you need to report any changes in circumstances to the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.
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How to report a change in circumstances
Reporting your change by phone
You should telephone the Northern Ireland Pension Centre to report a change in circumstances. They will make any changes to your circumstances or details.
Reporting your change online
You can report some changes online using the manage your State Pension service.
This is a new service being trialled and can only be used by some people to start with. You may be asked to enter your date of birth to check if you can use the service.
To use the new service, you will also need to register and verify your identity.
You will need information from two sources to confirm your identity and help protect you from fraud.
The list of sources will be updated but at this time, you can choose from:
- a valid UK passport
- UK driving licence (you cannot use a Northern Ireland driving licence)
- self assessment
- details of your bank accounts, loans, mortgages or credit agreements
Changes you need to report
You need to tell the Northern Ireland Pension Centre about any changes in your circumstance so that you're paid the right amount and get the right benefits.
A change in circumstances could include changes to the following.
Your personal information:
- your bank details
- a change of address
- your name
- your status as disabled or no longer disabled
- marital status
- a civil partnership
- the death of a partner or spouse
- voluntary work status
- your partner or spouse moves in with you or moves away
Your home:
- you move home
- you or someone you claim for goes into hospital (see 'Going into hospital' for more information)
- you go into custody serving a court-imposed sentence
- you go into residential care or a nursing home
- your mortgage or loan is paid off or increases
- someone comes to live in your house
Your financial situation:
- if you get any other benefits
- changes to your income
- changes to your savings or investments
- your occupational pension
- you start or stop doing paid work
Changes you don't need to report
If you receive Pension Credit and have been awarded an Assessed Income Period, you don’t need to tell the Northern Ireland Pension Centre about changes to your:
- savings and investments
- occupational pensions
If you move abroad
You should contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre if you move abroad.
Reporting a death
You need to tell the Northern Ireland Pension Centre when someone has died so they can stop paying their State Pension and Pension Credit.
You can do this by contacting the Bereavement Service. The Bereavement Service can also stop the payment of any other benefits the deceased person was receiving. As well as helping relatives access any other benefits they may be entitled to because of the bereavement.
Going into hospital - how it affects your benefits
Your basic State Pension isn't affected by a stay in hospital. If you receive Pension Credit the amount you get may decrease if you are in hospital for more than four weeks.
What you need to report in change in circumstances
A change in your circumstances can affect how much you're paid and what benefits you can get.
You need to tell the Northern Ireland Pension Centre if there is a change in your circumstances and you're receiving any of the following:
- State Pension
- Additional State Pension
- Over 80 Pension
- Pension Credit
- Winter Fuel Payment
The Northern Ireland Pension Centre will check that you're being paid the right amount and getting the right benefits.
Get proof of receipt of State Pension
If you need proof that you are getting Pension Credit you can request a proof of benefit letter by using the online service.
When you use the online service the proof of benefit letter will be posted to you directly within five working days.
If you cannot use the online service you can contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre