You can start claiming your state pension when you reach state pension age and if it’s a private pension, from 55, but when and how you claim your pension is up to you.
Taking your pension earlier means you have access to the money but this also means you’re starting to use up your retirement savings. If you can wait until you’re older, the pension pot has more time to grow and your monthly payments will be bigger.
Here we look at how you can claim different types of pension.
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When will I get the state pension?
You can start claiming the state pension when you reach a certain age, which is between 66 and 68. When you can claim varies depending on when you were born.
- From age 66 if you were born between October 6th 1954 and April 5th 1960
- Between age 66 and 66 if you were born between April 6th 1960 and April 5th 1977
- Between age 67 and 68 if you were born between April 6th 1977 and April 5th 1978
- From age 68 if you were born after April 6th 1978
You can check what age you’ll be able to claim the state pension through the Gov.uk website.
Is the state pension different for men and women?
The state pension age is the same for men and women and this has been the case since 2018.
The amount both men and women can claim is the same too. For those who have made 35 years’ of national insurance contributions it’s currently £241.30 per week. For those with 10 years’ of contributions it’s £68.90 a week.
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How to claim the state pension
You won’t automatically start receiving the state pension, you will need to claim it.
Once you reach state pension age (or within three months of this), you will be sent a letter inviting you to start claiming. If it doesn’t arrive, you can request one online.
How to claim your state pension online
You can claim your state pension through the government website and this is usually the quickest option.
You will need to give details including your national insurance number, bank account number, and information about your marriage or civil partnership.
How to claim your state pension by post or phone
You can also claim your state pension on the phone or by post. To do this you will need to download a paperform, fill it in and post it off.
You can request a form by calling the Pension Service claim line on 0800 731 7898 and the completed form should be sent to the following address: Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3.
How long does it take to receive your state pension?
If you have a straightforward case and you’ve sent in all the information requested you should receive your first payment within five weeks. For more complicated claims, or when extra information is needed, it can be up to 12 weeks.
Is it worth deferring the state pension?
You can decide when you claim the state pension, if you’ve reached state pension age. If you decide to defer taking it, when you do claim it the payments will be bigger. Your pension will be 5.8% bigger on average if you take it at a later date, but you will probably be claiming it for a shorter period of time.
However, be aware that you need to be retired for quire a while before this leaves you better off overall. On current pension payouts, it takes more than 15 years in retirement before the boost you get for deferring adds up to more money than you missed out on by not claiming for a year.
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How to claim private pensions
Some private pensions can be claimed from the age of 55 (rising to 57 in April 2028). You may have several private pensions, such as a workplace pension or a SIPP, and there may be different requirements for claiming each.
How much money is in my pension?
You can contact your pension provider at any time to see how much money is in your pension pot. They will be able to show you the amount, or the predicted amount, so you know how much you’re expected to have when you stop working.
What’s the best way to take my pension?
There are lots of different ways to claim a private pension, and it’s up to you how you decide to take this money.
You can usually decide from the following options:
- Withdrawing 25% of the pension pot as tax-free cash
- Buying an annuity which provides a guaranteed income until you die
- Choosing a drawdown pension where you take 25% out and the rest is left invested, for you to take when you need or to take as a regular income
- Taking out lump sums of money as and when you need to
If you’re unsure what to do, speaking to a financial adviser is an option and they can explain the different options for your pension pot. However, you will need to pay for this service.
How to claim online, by post or the phone
It’s usually quickest to claim your private pension online but you should also be able to do this by phone or post.
You will need to contact your pension provider to ask if how to claim and the process, as this will be different for everyone because it depends on the way in which they want to claim.
What information do I need to claim?
Your pension provider will need some information from you before they can accept your claim. This usually includes:
- Your name, address and some proof of your ID (such as your passport or driving licence)
- National insurance number
- Bank details
- If you are married or in a civil partnership
How long does it take until I receive my pension?
Once you’ve submitted your claim for your private pension, as long as there are no hold ups or delays it should take a few weeks.
However, if the provider needs extra information it can take longer. You should be given a rough time frame for this when you apply.
