Claim your State Pension

State Pension is not paid automatically. Prepare your details, then use the official route that matches where you live and how soon you reach pension age.

Official DWP route

Get your State Pension on GOV.UK

Check the current eligibility window and start the secure online claim, or use the official phone and post instructions.

Open the official claim service →

Choose your claim route

Online

Use the invitation code from your letter. If the letter is missing and you are within 3 months of pension age, request a code.

Phone or post

Claim by phone within 4 months of pension age, or phone the Pension Service to have a postal form sent to you.

Abroad or Northern Ireland

Use the International Pension Centre route if you live abroad, or the separate nidirect process in Northern Ireland.

Prepare and submit your claim

1

Confirm your State Pension age

Check your exact eligibility date before starting so you use the claim service at the right time.
2

Gather the required details

Have bank details, recent marriage or civil-partnership information, and dates of living or working abroad ready.
3

Use the official service

Follow GOV.UK to claim online, or use the Pension Service phone route. Do not send personal details to UKTax.tools.
4

Keep the decision and payment schedule

Review the award notice, first payment date and bank details, and contact the Pension Service if anything is incorrect.

Claiming versus deferring

If you do not claim at State Pension age, your pension is treated as deferred. Deferral can increase a later weekly amount, but it also delays payments; compare the official rules with your health, tax and cash-flow position.

Frequently asked questions

Is State Pension paid automatically?

No. You must claim it. If you do not claim when you reach State Pension age, the claim is treated as deferred and a later claim may receive a higher amount under the deferral rules.

When can I claim State Pension?

GOV.UK says you can claim by phone if you will reach State Pension age in the next 4 months. The online service uses an invitation code; if you do not have the letter and are within 3 months of State Pension age, you can request a code.

What do I need to claim State Pension?

Prepare your bank or building society details, the date of your most recent marriage, civil partnership or divorce, dates you lived or worked abroad, and the invitation code from your State Pension letter for an online claim.

Can I claim State Pension by post?

Yes, but for the standard current process GOV.UK tells you to phone the Pension Service and ask for a claim form to be posted to you. Return it to the address shown on the form guidance.

How do I claim if I live abroad or in Northern Ireland?

Different official routes apply. Overseas residents use the International Pension Centre and the relevant overseas claim forms; Northern Ireland residents follow nidirect guidance rather than the Great Britain online process.

Official sources

Related Calculators

State Pension Age Calculator

Check exactly when you reach UK State Pension age based on your date of birth.

State Pension Calculator

Project your UK State Pension based on NI qualifying years and the new flat-rate amount.

Pension Tax Calculator

Income Tax on State Pension, private pension and other annual income, including Scottish bands.

Learn More

State Pension and Tax: Is Your State Pension Taxable?

How the UK State Pension is taxed, why you might owe tax on it, and how HMRC collects the tax through your tax code or Self Assessment.

State Pension 2025-26: Triple Lock Increase and How It Is Taxed

The full new state pension rose to £11,973.00 in 2025-26 following the triple lock. Learn how the state pension is taxed, how it interacts with the personal allowance, and what pensioners need to watch out for.