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Retirement Pension

 
You can claim basic Retirement Pension when you reach state pension age. You must have enough National Insurance contributions.

The State Pension Age is:

  • 65 for men
  • 60 for women (rising gradually to 65 beginning from April 2010).

Who can claim

Married men and women without contributions of their own can claim a pension if their spouse has enough contributions.

Widows and widowers may get a pension based on their late spouse's contributions.

From December 2005, these rules also cover same sex couples who have registered a civil partnership.

How to claim

You should get a letter inviting you to claim about four months before you reach pension age. If you have not received this by three months before, call the Retirement Pension Teleclaims Service on 0800 731 7898 (or 0800 738 7339 for textphone users).

You can also claim Retirement Pension online on the Department for Work and Pensions website.

Don't forget to claim!

Deferring your pension

If you are working you can either work and claim Retirement Pension or delay claiming your pension.

If you delay your pension you will get a higher amount when it is finally paid or a taxable lump sum.

It is best to get advice before deciding what to do, especially if you get other benefits.

The Pension Service has a booklet about this: Deferring State Pension. Ring 0845 731 3233 for a copy.

Further information

If you have an enquiry or need advice, contact Greenwich Welfare Rights Service using the number on the right or our online enquiry form.

For more details download the leaflet, Benefits for Pensioners.

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