How to Claim Your Pension: Steps, Timescales and What to Expect

Knowing how to claim your pension is an important step towards turning your savings into a reliable retirement income. Whether you are approaching State Pension age or planning to access a workplace or personal pension, understanding what happens next can make the process feel far more manageable.

This guide explains how to claim the State Pension, how to claim workplace and personal pensions, what information you will need, and the key timelines, tax considerations and common pitfalls to be aware of.

How to Claim the State Pension

Understanding how to claim the State Pension is essential, as it is not paid automatically. You need to make an active claim when you reach State Pension age.

How to claim State Pension online

You can claim your State Pension through the official government website. To claim your state pension online, you will usually need:

Your National Insurance number

Your bank or building society account details

Information about your marriage, civil partnership or residency history if relevant

Claiming online is often the quickest and simplest option.

How to Claim State Pension by Phone or Post

If you do not wish to apply online, you can also claim by phone or by completing a paper form. This can be beneficial if you need help with the application or your situation is more complex, such as time spent living abroad

What happens after you apply

Once your claim is submitted, the Department for Work and Pensions will review your details and confirm when payments will begin. You may be asked for additional information, particularly if you have gaps in your National Insurance record.

When Can You Claim Your Pension?

For most people, the State Pension can be claimed once they reach State Pension age. While this is currently 66 in the UK, it is important to know that this is starting to change.

From April 2026, the State Pension age will gradually increase from 66 to 67, with the change fully in place by 2028. This means your exact State Pension age will depend on when you were born. For example, those born before 6 April 1960 will receive their State Pension at 66, while those born between April 1960 and March 1961 will have a State Pension age between 66 and 67. Anyone born from April 1961 onwards is expected to receive their State Pension at age 67.

Because of this, it’s important not to assume you will receive your State Pension at 66. You can check your personal State Pension age and how much you may receive using the government’s State Pension forecast service.

Workplace and personal pensions

Most defined contribution pensions, including workplace pensions and personal pensions such as SIPPs, can usually be accessed from age 55. This minimum age is due to rise to 57 from April 2028.

This means you may be able to access private pension savings before your State Pension starts, which is an important consideration when planning your wider retirement income.

Claiming at the right time

You do not always have to claim your pension as soon as you become eligible. Some people access private pensions earlier, while others choose to defer their State Pension or leave pension savings invested for longer.

The right timing depends on your circumstances, including whether you are still working, how much income you need and what other savings or pensions you have available.

When Can You Claim Your Pension?

In addition to the State Pension, many people want to understand how to claim workplace pension benefits or start taking income from a personal pension.

The first step is usually to contact your pension provider directly. They will explain your options and send you the relevant forms, retirement pack or online instructions. This may include:

Confirming your identity

Checking your pension value

Explaining your options for taking benefits

Outlining any charges or timescales involved

Pension withdrawal options explained

When claiming a workplace or personal pension, you will usually be able to choose between several options:

Taking up to 25% as tax-free cash

Moving into pension drawdown

Buying an annuity

Taking lump sums as needed

Each option works differently and can affect your income, flexibility and tax position.

Choosing the right way to take your pension income

Before deciding how to take your pension, consider how it fits with your other income, such as the State Pension, savings or earnings. Your provider may offer projections to help compare options, but it’s also important to think about how sustainable your income will be over time.

What Happens if You Have More Than One Pension?

If you have built up several pension pots over your working life, you may want to look at them together before taking benefits. Some people consider combining pensions to make them easier to manage, although it is important to check for exit fees or valuable guarantees before transferring anything.

How to claim pension tax relief

If you are still contributing to a pension before accessing it, you may benefit from tax relief. Knowing how to claim pension tax relief is particularly important for higher-rate or additional-rate taxpayers, who may need to reclaim extra relief through self-assessment.

How to claim pension credit

For people on lower incomes, it is also worth checking how to claim pension credit. Pension Credit can top up weekly income and may also help unlock other support, such as help with council tax or heating costs.

Comparing Your Pension Claim Options

When deciding how to access your pension, it can help to compare the main options:

Option | How it works | Flexibility | Income certainty | When it may suit

State
Pension

Paid by the government at State Pension age

Low

High

Forms the foundation of retirement income

Pension
drawdown

Pension stays invested and income is taken as needed

High

Variable

If you want flexibility and ongoing control

Annuity | Converts pension savings into a guaranteed income | Low | High | If you want a stable, predictable income

Lump
sums

Take cash directly from your pension pot

High

None

If you need access to funds or want one-off withdrawals

There is no single ‘best’ option for everyone. Many people choose a combination of approaches to help balance flexibility with longer-term security.

What Information and ID Will I Need to Make a Claim?

Whether you are claiming the State Pension or a private pension, you will need to provide certain information to support your application. Requirements usually include:

National Insurance number

Proof of identity (such as a passport or a driving licence)

Bank or building society account details

Details of your pension arrangements

Marital or civil partnership status (in some cases)

Having this information ready in advance can help ensure a smoother application process.

Timelines, First Payments and Delays

One of the most common concerns is how long it will take for payments to begin. After you submit your claim, it can take several weeks for your pension to be processed. State Pension claims and private pension claims may follow different timescales depending on the provider and whether extra information is required.

State Pension payments are usually made every four weeks in arrears. Workplace and personal pension payments may be made monthly, quarterly or as one-off payments depending on the option chosen.

Planning ahead

Many people choose to start the process a few months in advance, so their pension payments begin when they need them. This can be especially helpful if you are relying on pension income to replace employment income.

If your claim is processed late but submitted on time, payments may sometimes be backdated. Even so, delays can still create short-term cash flow issues, so planning is sensible. Common reasons for delays include:

Information is missing or incorrect

Identity checks take longer than expected

The pension arrangement is more complex

The claim was submitted later than planned

Additional documents are requested

Responding quickly to your provider or the DWP can help speed things up.

Deferring the State Pension: Pros and Cons

You do not have to claim your State Pension as soon as you reach State Pension age. You can choose to defer it.

Advantages of deferring

Your State Pension payments may increase the longer you defer

It can provide a higher income later in retirement

It may be beneficial if you are still working or have other income sources

Disadvantages of deferring

You will miss out on income in the short term

It may not always be financially beneficial, depending on your life expectancy and circumstances

Deciding whether to defer depends on your individual financial situation and retirement plans.

Tax Considerations When You Start Taking Benefits

Below are some important tax considerations you should consider before you make a claim.

State Pension and tax

The State Pension is taxable, but it is paid gross. This means tax is not deducted before it is paid to you. If your total income exceeds your personal allowance, tax may still be due.

Workplace and personal pensions

With most defined contribution pensions, up to 25% can usually be taken tax-free. The remaining amount is normally taxed as income.

Tax withdrawals

Taking a large amount in one tax year could push you into a higher tax band. For that reason, many people choose to spread withdrawals over time rather than taking too much at once.

Emergency tax

It is also common to be placed on an emergency tax code when you first take money from a private pension. This can mean more tax is deducted initially, although this is often corrected later.

Taking a bit of time to understand the tax side of things can help you avoid unpleasant surprises.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Scams

Claiming your pension is an important financial step, and it is worth approaching it carefully. Common pitfalls include:

Claiming without understanding your options

Taking too much income too quickly

Overlooking tax implications

Not checking entitlement to extra support such as Pension Credit

Failing to think about long-term income needs

Taking the time to understand your options can help you make more confident decisions and protect your long-term retirement income.

Keep your records up to date

It is also important to keep your details up to date with your pension providers. This includes your address, contact details and beneficiary nominations. Small administrative issues can sometimes cause bigger delays later.

Scams to watch out for

Pension scams can include unexpected calls, texts or emails, pressure to act quickly, promises of unusually high returns, or offers that seem too good to be true. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s best to pause, check the details carefully and seek guidance before taking any action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early can I claim my State Pension?

You can usually claim your State Pension once you reach State Pension age. While this is currently 66, it’s important to note that it is changing. From April 2026, the State Pension age will begin to increase from 66 to 67, depending on your date of birth. Because of this, your exact State Pension age may be later than 66.
It is not normally possible to claim your State Pension earlier than your State Pension age. However, you can choose to delay your claim, which may increase your payments later.

I didn’t get an invitation letter — what should I do?

You do not need to wait for a letter. You can still claim State Pension online or by phone. Applying in good time helps ensure your payments begin without delay.

Can I claim my State Pension while still working?

Yes, you can continue working while receiving your State Pension. However, your overall income may be subject to income tax, depending on the combined amount of your earnings and pension income.

How do I claim a pension from overseas?

You can claim your UK State Pension from abroad. You may need to provide additional details depending on your location, but the process is similar to the process for claiming in the UK.

How long does the first payment take?

It usually takes a few weeks after your claim is processed. Payments are made every four weeks, although this can vary slightly depending on timing.

Can I backdate my claim?

State Pension claims can usually be backdated for up to 12 months, depending on your circumstances. However, applying on time is often the simplest option.
This information is for guidance only and does not constitute financial advice. Pension rules, tax treatment and benefits depend on individual circumstances and may change in the future.