State pension age: What is the current state pension age? How to check when you can claim
STATE PENSION is something many people in the UK access during their later years. It can only be claimed once those eligible reach state pension age, but when exactly is this?
David Gauke announces plans to rise state pension age
When you retire can often depends on your own financial situation. However, claiming your state pension is only possible once those eligible have reached state pension age. This age has been on the rise in recent years, and is set to continue increasing in coming months. As such, this means that one person’s state pension age could differ to another’s.
The state pension age made headlines recently, after it reached 65 for women as well as men.
However, more changes are in the pipeline, with the state pension age due to reach 66 by 2020.
By 2028, Britons are set to see this figure become 67, with plans for it to eventually become 70.
In order to work out when you can claim your state pension, it’s recommended that you use the government calculator.
The process of using the state pension age calculator is relatively simple.
Simply visit the website, and enter your date of birth.
Use the UK government calculator to check your state pension age
You will then need to state whether you are a man or a woman.
How to claim your state pension
Claiming your state pension will depend on whether you are eligible for the new state pension or the basic state pension.
For the former, there are a number of ways.
Make the claim online at gov.uk, on the phone, or by downloading the state pension claim form and sending it to your local pension centre.
Alternatively, if you live abroad, you can either send the international claim form to the international pension centre, or contact the international pension centre.
On the other hand, those claiming the basic state pension have got three options.
This includes calling the state pension claim line, or downloading the relevant state pension claim form and sending it to your local pension centre.
Claimants living overseas should contact the international pension centre, or fill in the relevant claim form to the international pension centre.
READ MORE: State pension: The pension calculator that shows how much you’ll receive