Basic State Pension - How do I claim Basic State Pension?

Start the claim

You will not get a 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

You can apply online, by making an application on the GOV.UK website. 

You can request a claim form over the phone, by calling the Pension Service helpline:

• Telephone: 0800 731 7898
• Textphone: 0800 731 7339
• British Sign Language (BSL) users: Video Relay Service 
• Welsh language: 0800 731 7936
• Welsh textphone: 0800 731 7339

The helpline is open Monday to Friday. 8.00am to 6.00pm. The form comes with notes telling you how to complete it. 

You can download a State Pension claim form online, complete it and send it by post to: 

• Pension Service 8
• Post Handling Site B 
• Wolverhampton 
• WV98 1AF

In Northern Ireland

You can apply online, by making an application on the NI Direct website.

You can request a claim form over the phone, by calling the NI Pension Centre helpline: 

• Telephone: 0808 100 2658
• Textphone: 0808 100 2198
• Irish Sign Language or British Sign Language (BSL): Video Relay Service

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.

A Basic State Pension is usually paid every four weeks.

A Basic State Pension counts as income for other benefits.