Claiming the State Pension :Cross Stitch – Pensions and retirement planning
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.
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.
Welsh speaking customers living in Wales can access a Welsh version of the online claim if you use the Welsh (Welsh language) link at the top of this page, or you can:
- ring the State Pension claim line on 0800 731 7936 (8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays)
- use the textphone service on 0800 731 7013 if you have speech or hearing difficulties (8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays)
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 0800 731 7898. Textphone: 0800 731 7339, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (except public holidays).
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 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 have ever 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.
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.
Your basic State Pension isn’t affected by a stay in hospital. But if you get Pension Credit that may go down if you are in hospital for more than four weeks.