State Pension
State Pension is a regular payment from the Government that most people can claim when they reach their State Pension age.
State Pension
State Pension is based on your National Insurance contributions or National Insurance credits.
This page explains how to claim and how to work out your State Pension age. You can call our helpline to speak to an advisor or ask for a copy of our guide to be posted to you by calling 0800 12 44 222. You can download our information guide here.
There are two different types of State Pension. If you reached your State Pension age on or before 5 April 2016, you will claim under the pre-2016 State Pension rules. This will apply to you if you are a man born on or before 5 April 1951 or a woman born on or before 5 April 1953.
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Every year, millions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed by older people in Scotland. We want to change that.
Our benefit workshops aim to lift the lid on the benefit system, making it easier for older people, and those who support them, to claim the money they are entitled to.
How to claim
Your State Pension will not be paid automatically, you have to claim it. You should receive a letter and booklet from the Pension Service about four months before you reach your State Pension age. If you have not received it three months before that date, contact the Department for Work and Pension and tell them that you want to make a claim.
You can ask for a claim form or make a telephone claim by calling the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898. You can also download a claim form or claim online.
How to figure out your State Pension age
State Pension calculator
You can check your State Pension age by calling the Age Scotland helpline or by using this online calculator.
State Pension age was 66 for both men and women in October 2020 and it will be 67 by 2028.
Order copies of our publications
You can download our guides using the links on this page. To request copies, which will be posted out to you for free, you can use our online publications order form or call the Age Scotland Helpline (0800 12 44 222 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm).
Age Scotland Helpline
Call our helpline on 0800 12 44 222 for free to speak to an adviser. Our advisers can perform entitlements checks and help you find out if you're missing out. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.