How to claim your State Pension: steps, timing and first payment
Short answer
You must claim your State Pension; it does not start automatically. You can claim online with the invitation code from your letter, or request a code if you are within 3 months of State Pension age. You can phone the Pension Service (0800 731 7898) within 4 months, or claim by post. The first payment comes no later than 5 weeks after your chosen start date, then every 4 weeks.
Before you start
GOV.UK lists what you need (GOV.UK: New State Pension – how to claim):
- the date of your most recent marriage, civil partnership or divorce
- dates of any time spent living or working abroad
- your bank or building society details
- any social security numbers for foreign state pension schemes
- for an online claim, the invitation code from your letter
nidirect says the letter should arrive no later than two months before State Pension age (nidirect: Ways to claim State Pension). If it has not arrived and you are within 3 months of State Pension age, you can request an invitation code.
Ways to claim
| Route | When you can use it | Details on GOV.UK |
|---|---|---|
| Online | With an invitation code | “Get your State Pension” service |
| Phone | If you reach State Pension age in the next 4 months | Pension Service claim line 0800 731 7898 |
| Post | Phone first to get a form | Return to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3 |
| From abroad | Within 4 months of State Pension age | International Pension Centre |
| Northern Ireland | Online, phone or post | Northern Ireland Pension Centre (nidirect) |
When the money arrives
When you claim, you choose a start date. The first payment is made no later than 5 weeks after that date, and then a full payment every 4 weeks. You might get a part-payment first (GOV.UK: New State Pension – when you're paid). The weekday depends on the last two digits of your NI number:
| Last 2 digits of NI number | Payment day |
|---|---|
| 00–19 | Monday |
| 20–39 | Tuesday |
| 40–59 | Wednesday |
| 60–79 | Thursday |
| 80–99 | Friday |
Payments can arrive earlier when the normal day is a bank holiday. Example: an NI number ending 47 is paid on Wednesdays.
Deferring instead of claiming
You do not have to claim at State Pension age. GOV.UK says your new State Pension increases for every week you defer, as long as you defer for at least 9 weeks. The increase is “just under 5.8%” for each full year (GOV.UK: How to increase your retirement income). Example: on £241.30 a week, one year of deferral adds about £13.94 a week (1% for every 9 weeks: 52 ÷ 9 × 1% ≈ 5.78%). Deferral can affect benefits. Read our deferral guide.
Foreign pensions and the claim
If you lived or worked in an EEA country or Switzerland, you will be sent a claim form. The International Pension Centre sends your claim to the schemes in those countries, so you do not need to claim separately. For other countries, contact the pension authority in the last country you lived or worked in. An Isle of Man pension is separate and paid separately.
After you claim
- You will get a letter about your payments.
- Tell the Pension Service about changes such as moving, bank details, marriage, divorce, bereavement or moving abroad.
- You can keep working. Employee National Insurance stops at State Pension age, but Income Tax still applies. See our guide to working after State Pension age.
Frequently asked questions
Is State Pension paid automatically?
No. GOV.UK says you have to claim it.
How early can I claim?
Online with your invitation code; you can request a code within 3 months of State Pension age. Phone claims are possible within 4 months.
When will I get my first payment?
No later than 5 weeks after the start date you choose, then every 4 weeks.
Which day is State Pension paid?
It depends on the last two digits of your NI number: 00–19 Monday through to 80–99 Friday.
Sources
Official pages checked on 14 November 2026. Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027) unless stated.