Claiming Your State Pension
You will usually be sent a retirement pack by the Pension Service about 4 months before you reach State Pension age. This pack will contain a pension statement telling you what you will receive and a BR1 claim form. Simply complete the BR1 form and return it to the Pension Service. However, if you do not want to claim your state pension you do not need to do anything; your state pension will automatically be deferred.
If you are eligible for a higher rate pension at age 80, you do not have to claim; the higher rate should be paid automatically.
What Happens If I Don't Receive a Retirement Pack?
However, if you do not receive this pack 3 months before your birthday (for example, if you've moved and the Pension Service does not have your current address), then you can download a BR1 form from the Pension Service website (www.thepensionservice.gov.uk). Alternatively, you can make a claim over the phone (0800 731 7898); this is a fast process and will help to ensure that you receive your first payment on time, and in many cases, details of your entitlement or award can be given at the end of the call.
To claim over the phone, you'll need the following information to hand:
- Your National Insurance (NI) number
- Your social security number (if you have ever lived and worked abroad)
- Your Tax reference number
- Your date of marriage or formation of civil partnership
- Your spouse or civil partner's National Insurance (NI) number
- Details of the bank you want your payments paid into ( sort code, account number or Building Society roll / reference number)
- Your employers name and address along with your payroll, staff number and date you stopped working
- Dates of any periods of time when you were in hospital and the name and address of the hospital
- Details of other benefits either you or your spouse / civil partner are receiving with the benefit reference number if known
Your State Pension may be paid directly into your bank, building society, or any other account account that accepts Direct Debit payment. Alternatively, if you are registered blind or you need your carer to collect your money, you can be sent a cheque that may be cashed at the Post Office.
What Happens if I Forget to Claim?
If you forget to claim your state pension, you may be able to backdate it for a maximum of 12 months. However, if you are claiming an increase for a dependant, the maximum period it can be backdated is 3 months.
After claiming, you will be sent details on how your state pension has been calculated and what to do if you do not agree with how it was calculated.
