when can i claim my state pension

You can claim your state pension once you reach your State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both men and women but is gradually increasing from May 2026 onward depending on your birth date. The State Pension is not paid automatically; you must claim it yourself. You can apply online, by phone, or by post. If you claim within 12 months after reaching State Pension age, you can have your pension backdated to the date you became eligible. If you claim later, it will be treated as deferred and cannot be backdated. Your State Pension amount depends on your National Insurance record, with a minimum of 10 qualifying years needed to receive any pension, and full pension typically requiring 35 years of contributions. You can also defer claiming after reaching State Pension age to increase your payments by about 5.8% for every full year deferred. To claim, you'll need personal details like recent marriage or divorce dates, bank details, and information about any time spent working abroad. Payments are usually made every four weeks directly into your bank account.