How to claim your State Pension

You will not receive your State Pension automatically. You need to make a claim. You can apply once you are within 4 months of your State Pension age.

Planning ahead

If you are more than 4 months away from your State Pension age and want to check your State Pension forecast:

Check online: GOV.UK: Check your State Pension forecast — you will need to sign in (you can create sign-in details if you do not have them), and you may be asked to prove your identity with photo ID such as a passport or driving licence. You can also check your forecast in the HMRC app. The online service is not available if you are already getting your State Pension or have deferred it.

If you cannot use the online service, contact the Future Pension Centre (DWP). They can post a forecast to you if your State Pension age is more than 30 days away.

Call: 0800 731 0175 (free from the UK)

From outside the UK: +44 191 218 3600

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0175.

What to have ready when making your claim

• The date of your most recent marriage, civil partnership or divorce (if relevant)
• Dates you lived or worked abroad, if relevant
• Any social security numbers used for overseas state pensions, if relevant
• Your bank or building society account details
• If you want payment to a non-UK account: the IBAN and BIC/SWIFT code
• The invitation code from your letter, if you are claiming online

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales

Invitation letter: DWP sends a letter with an invitation code for claiming online. If you have not received one and you are within 3 months of your State Pension age, GOV.UK explains how to request an invitation code.

Claim online: GOV.UK: Get your State Pension. If you have your invitation code, claiming online is usually the simplest way.

Claim by phone: If you are within 4 months of your State Pension age, call the Pension Service (DWP) and claim during the call, with no form needed. If you would rather claim by post, they can send you a form.

Call: 0800 731 7898

Welsh language: 0800 731 7936

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays). Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 7898.

If you live in Northern Ireland

State Pension claims in Northern Ireland are handled by the Northern Ireland Pension Centre (Department for Communities).

Claim online: nidirect: Get your State Pension. You will need the invitation code from your letter. If you have not received one and you are within 3 months of your State Pension age, nidirect explains how to request one.

Claim by phone: Northern Ireland Pension Centre State Pension claim line.

Call: 0808 100 2658

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (closed weekends and bank holidays). Relay UK: 18001 then 0808 100 2658.

If you live elsewhere (Non-UK residents)

Do not wait for a code: Many people overseas do not receive an invitation letter. You do not need one to claim.

If you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and have paid into that country's pension system: start your claim with your local pension authority (for example Carsat in France or INSS in Spain). They should pass your claim on to the pension schemes in the other countries where you lived or worked, including the UK. Local claims often start before UK State Pension age, so DWP may write to say it is too early. If so, contact the International Pension Centre again within 4 months of your UK State Pension age so your UK claim goes ahead.

Everyone else living abroad: claim with the International Pension Centre (DWP) within 4 months of your State Pension age. You can claim over the phone with no form needed, or send the international claim form. See GOV.UK: Claim if you retire abroad.

Call: +44 191 218 7777

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (UK time). Relay UK: +44 151 494 1260 then 0191 218 7777.

Tip: Ask the agent for a callback to reduce international phone charges.