When do pensions start

Before you start You can keep working after you reach State Pension age. Step 1 : Check when you can retire. You are currently viewing: Check what age you can get your State Pension Find out about working after you reach State Pension age Find out if you can retire early with your workplace or personal pension. Step 2 : Increase your pension.

Find out about delaying your pension For advice about increasing your workplace or private pension, speak to a financial adviser. Find a financial adviser through Unbiased. Step 3 : Check what other financial support you could get. Check what financial help you could get if you: are on a low income need help paying your rent need help paying your heating bill are claiming benefits and the weather is cold are disabled You can also get free bus travel if you: apply for a bus pass.

What is an AVC pension? What is a SSAS pension? What is a salary sacrifice pension? What pension can I get if I'm self-employed? What is Auto Enrolment? Drawdown and annuities Should I drawdown or buy an annuity?

What is a drawdown pension? What is a pension annuity? What is flexi-access drawdown? What is a capped drawdown pension? What is a crystallised pension? Socially responsible investing What is socially responsible investing? What is sustainable investing? What is a pension finder? How to trace a lost pension The Pension Tracing Service How to find a pension number What happens to my pension when I leave a company? Transferring pensions Overseas pension transfers How can I transfer pensions?

Should I transfer my pension? Why is my transfer taking so long? Pension transfer charges What is a frozen pension and what are my frozen pension options? How to transfer an overseas pension to the UK. Pension contributions Pension contribution basics Making pension contributions How to check your pension contributions When should I start a pension?

How much should I pay into my pension? How to pay a lump sum into a pension How do government pension contributions work? The State Pension age is the earliest you can claim your State Pension. Your State Pension age depends on when you were born. There are some changes to the State Pension age at the moment. For people reaching State Pension age now, it will be age 66 for women and men. For those born after 5 April , there will be a phased increase in State Pension age to 67, and eventually It's important not to confuse the State Pension age with your retirement age.

Retirement age is the age you retire — and it can vary a lot depending on your financial situation. Call us free on or use our webchat. One of our pension specialists will be happy to answer your questions. Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm helpline , 9am to 6pm webchat. Closed on bank holidays. The amount you get might be lower, as your entitlement to State Pension depends on your National Insurance record. You need a minimum of ten years' contributions or credits to get any State Pension, and 35 years on your record to get the full amount.

In some cases, the amount you get might be higher. State Pension is taxable but paid before any tax is taken. Examples of other taxable income include from employment or a private or occupational pension. Our free and flexible Couch to Financial Fitness plan will help you build confidence to manage your money. Step by step we can help you cut your spending, develop core saving muscles, and create better habits for the future. The triple lock makes sure that your State Pension rises by the higher of the average increase in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index , the average increase in wages and 2.

If your State Pension includes any Additional State Pension, this will be increased in line with the average increase in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index. You need to have paid or been credited with 35 years of National Insurance contributions to receive the full State Pension amount.

Pension Credit is a means-tested State benefit. As well as checking your State Pension age, you can check your entitlement by getting a State Pension forecast. The amount you're forecast to get assumes you make, or are credited with, the maximum number of National Insurance credits in the years up to your State Pension age.

Find out about extra sources of income and support available to help you manage your household bills and save money in our guide What benefits you can claim and other ways to increase your income. You should get a letter no later than two months before you reach State Pension age, telling you what to do.

If you want to change the bank account your State Pension is paid into, contact the Pension Service on Both numbers are available Monday to Friday, 9. Your first payment will be within five weeks of reaching State Pension age. The day your State Pension is paid depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number.

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper. Download app: WhatsApp. For help sorting out your debts or credit questions. For everything else please contact us via Webchat or telephone. Got a pension question? Our help is impartial and free to use.

Get in touch online or over the phone on Benefits if you have children Entitlements to help with the cost of pregnancy or bringing up children. Benefits if you're sick, disabled or a carer Understand what support is available for coping with ill health. Benefits in later life You may be entitled for help with other costs on top of your State Pension.

Problems with benefits What to do if something goes wrong with your benefits. Benefits All Benefits guidance. Tool Money Navigator.

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Credit and purchases Credit basics, applying for credit, credit ratings and problems with credit. Your selected retirement age Ill-health retirement Your State Pension age and other types of pension Common questions about when you can take your pension Be alert to pension scams. Use our calculators. How do I take my pension money? Your retirement options How to take your money. On this page… Your selected retirement age Ill-health retirement Your State Pension age and other types of pension Common questions about when you can take your pension Be alert to pension scams.

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