How to claim your State Pension
Your State Pension is never paid automatically — you have to claim it, and the claim window opens 4 months before your State Pension age. Here is how claiming works online, by phone, and by post, what to have ready, and when your first payment arrives.
You have to claim — it is never automatic
Nothing happens on your State Pension age birthday unless you have claimed. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) normally writes to you about 4 months before you reach State Pension age, with instructions and — for online claims — an invitation code. That letter only reaches you if DWP has your current address, so tell it if you move in the run-up. If you have not received a letter and you are within 3 months of State Pension age, you can request an invitation code on GOV.UK rather than waiting. You can claim from 4 months before your State Pension age, or at any time after it — claiming late simply means you are deferring (see the deferring guide), whether you meant to or not.
The three routes
Online is usually simplest if you have your invitation code: the GOV.UK claim service walks through the questions and submits the claim. By phone, you can claim by calling the Pension Service if you will reach State Pension age in the next 4 months — no form needed. By post, phone the Pension Service and ask for a claim form to be posted to you, then return it to the Freepost address given (no stamp or postcode needed). If you live in Northern Ireland, claims go through the Northern Ireland Pension Centre instead. If you have already moved abroad, use the International Pension Centre — see the retiring abroad guide.
What you need to have ready
GOV.UK lists what the claim asks for: the date of your most recent marriage, civil partnership or divorce; the dates of any time spent living or working abroad; your bank or building society details; and any social security numbers you have for foreign state pension schemes. Online claimants also need the invitation code from the letter. Having these ready before you start is the difference between a 20-minute claim and a claim that stalls halfway through — and a stalled claim can delay your first payment.
When you are paid, and on which day
When you claim, you are asked when you want your State Pension to start. Your first payment will be no later than 5 weeks after the date you choose, and you may receive a part-payment before your first full payment. After that, the new State Pension is usually paid every 4 weeks into your bank or building society account. Your payment day depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number: 00–19 Monday, 20–39 Tuesday, 40–59 Wednesday, 60–79 Thursday, 80–99 Friday. You may be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday. If your circumstances change after you claim — address, bank details, marital status — you must tell the Pension Service.
Official links
Frequently asked questions
I never got an invitation letter. Can I still claim?
Yes. If you are within 3 months of State Pension age, request an invitation code on GOV.UK, or claim by phone. Do not wait for a letter that may have gone to an old address.
Can I claim before my State Pension age?
You can claim from 4 months before you reach State Pension age, and choose a start date. You cannot be paid before your State Pension age itself.
What if I claim months late?
You can claim at any time after State Pension age. The gap is treated as deferral: you may be able to backdate up to 12 months as arrears, or take the time as increased regular payments — see the deferring guide.