Contact the Pension Service
Claim your State Pension
You can claim your State Pension online, by phone or by post.
If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you need to claim the basic State Pension instead. If you’re over 80, you might also be able to make a claim for the over 80 pension.
If you want to claim on someone else’s behalf, you must be able to manage their claim.
Claim by phone or post
You can claim by phone if you reach State Pension age in the next 4 months.
If you want to claim by post, phone the Pension Service to get a State Pension claim form sent to you.
Telephone: 0800 731 7898
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 7898
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Welsh language: 0800 731 7936
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays)
Find out about call charges
Contact the International Pension Centre if you live abroad.
Helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year
| Date | Opening times |
|---|---|
| Monday 22 December 2025 | Open 8am to 6pm |
| Tuesday 23 December 2025 | Open 8am to 6pm |
| Wednesday 24 December 2025 | Closed (except in Scotland, open 8am to 5pm) |
| Thursday 25 December 2025 | Closed |
| Friday 26 December 2025 | Closed |
| Monday 29 December 2025 | Open 8am to 6pm |
| Tuesday 30 December 2025 | Open 8am to 6pm |
| Wednesday 31 January 2025 | Open 8am to 5pm |
| Thursday 1 January 2026 | Closed |
| Friday 2 January 2026 | Open 8am to 6pm (closed in Scotland) |