Answers · UK 2025/26
How do I claim my UK State Pension?
The State Pension is not paid automatically — you must claim it. You should receive a letter from DWP 2 months before reaching State Pension Age. Claim online via gov.uk, by phone (0800 731 7898) or by post. Or defer claiming for a 1% increase per 9 weeks.
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UK State Pension claim process. You should receive an invitation letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about 4 months before reaching State Pension Age (currently 66, rising to 67 from April 2026). The pension is NOT paid automatically — you must claim. Three ways to claim: online at gov.uk/get-state-pension, by phone on 0800 731 7898, or by post using the BR1 form. You'll need: National Insurance number, bank account details, marriage/civil partnership details (if relevant). Payment is every 4 weeks in arrears. You can defer claiming — for every 9 weeks deferred, your pension increases by 1% (= 5.8%/year) for the rest of your life. Deferral lump sum option ended in 2016. The full new State Pension 2025/26 is £230.25/week (£11,973/year). Check your forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension. If you have lived abroad, your pension may be "frozen" (no annual uprating) in some countries — about 4% of UK pensioners are affected.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.