Start the claim
You will not get Basic State Pension automatically. You have to claim it. You do not have to claim it straight away. You can start claiming at any time after you reach State Pension age.
If you start your claim in the first 12 months after you reached State Pension age, you can ask that the claim is backdated to when your entitlement started. If you start your claim over 12 months after you reached State Pension age, you will be treated as having deferred your pension and cannot get it backdated.
If you do not qualify for Basic State Pension or the amount you receive is low, you will usually receive a letter from the Pension Service before you turn 80 about the Over 80 pension. If you have not received a letter, you can contact the Pension Service (England, Scotland, Wales) or the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.
In England, Scotland or Wales
Claim online on the Claim your State Pension online of the Gov.UK website.
Phone the Pension Service:
- Telephone: 0800 731 7898
- Textphone: 0800 731 7339
- Welsh Language Line: 0800 731 7936
- Welsh Textphone: 0800 731 7339
Use the Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users.
Download a claim form from the Basic State Pension: How to claim page on the Gov.UK website.
In Northern Ireland
Claim online on the NI Direct website.
Phone the Northern Ireland Pension Centre:
- Telephone: 0808 100 2658
- Textphone: 0808 100 6165
Use the video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL) users.
Provide documents
You may need to provide these when you claim:
- Your national insurance number (and partner's, if you have one)
- Proof of your identity (for example your passport, birth certificate or driving licence)
- Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
- Divorce certificate or civil partnership dissolution certificate.
- Details of your employment.
Receive payments
Your Basic State Pension will be paid directly into your bank or building society account. If you are unable to open or manage an account, you could be paid through the Payment Exception Service.
Basic State Pension is usually paid every four weeks.
Basic State Pension counts as income for other benefits.