What you get at State Pension age: the full list

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

Reaching State Pension age is the biggest milestone for entitlements. You can claim your State Pension, and you become eligible for Pension Credit, the Winter Fuel Payment, Attendance Allowance, the Priority Services Register and, in England, a free bus pass. Several of these must be claimed: they do not start by themselves.

First: when is your State Pension age?

State Pension age is the same for men and women. It has been 66, and it is now rising in stages to 67. Under the government's published timetable, the increase is being phased in between 2026 and 2028:

A further rise to 68 is set out in law for people born from April 1977, and the timetable is reviewed regularly. For your exact date, use the State Pension age checker on GOV.UK.

Your State Pension

You will not get your State Pension automatically. You should receive a letter inviting you to claim before you reach State Pension age; if you do not, you can still claim through the Get your State Pension service on GOV.UK.

At the time of writing (November 2026), the full rate of the new State Pension is £241.30 a week. What you actually get depends on your National Insurance record, so it may be more or less than this. You can see your own figure with the Check your State Pension service.

You may choose to put off (defer) claiming. Whether that is worthwhile depends on your circumstances and is not something we can advise on; MoneyHelper explains how deferral works. If you do defer, be aware that some other payments, such as the Winter Fuel Payment, then have to be claimed rather than arriving automatically.

What else starts at State Pension age

Pension Credit

If your weekly income is below £238 (single) or £363.25 (couple), Pension Credit tops it up, and you may qualify with a higher income if you have a disability, caring responsibilities or certain housing costs. You can apply up to four months before you reach State Pension age. It is the single most valuable thing to check, because of everything else it unlocks. See Pension Credit.

Winter Fuel Payment

Between £100 and £300 each winter in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (a separate payment in Scotland). For winter 2026 to 2027 you needed to be born on or before 27 June 1960, which means having reached State Pension age by the September qualifying week. If your own income is over £35,000 it is taken back through the tax system. See Winter Fuel Payment.

Attendance Allowance

If illness or disability means you need help with personal care, this is the benefit to claim from State Pension age onwards (Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland). It is not means-tested. See Attendance Allowance.

A bus pass in England

In England, outside London, the older person's bus pass starts at State Pension age. (In Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London you will already have been eligible from 60.) See free bus pass.

The Priority Services Register

Reaching State Pension age is enough on its own to join your energy supplier's free register for extra support. See Priority Services Register.

Pension-age rules for housing costs

Help with rent and Council Tax follows different, generally more generous rules once you are over State Pension age. If you rent, ask your council about Housing Benefit; whether you rent or own, ask about Council Tax Reduction.

The Christmas Bonus

A one-off, tax-free £10 paid automatically before Christmas to people getting certain benefits, including the State Pension, in the qualifying week (normally the first full week of December). There is nothing to claim.

Help that follows from Pension Credit

Once you get Pension Credit, check these too:

• Warm Home Discount – £150 off your electricity bill
• Cold Weather Payment – £25 for each freezing week
• broadband social tariffs and help with water bills
• free NHS dental treatment and help with glasses, with Guarantee Credit: see health costs

A to-do list for the months around your State Pension age

1. In the months before: look out for the invitation to claim your State Pension. Check whether you might get Pension Credit; you can apply up to four months early.
2. At State Pension age: in England, apply to your council for a bus pass. Join the Priority Services Register.
3. If you rent or your income is low: ask your council about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
4. If your health limits you: look at Attendance Allowance.
5. Your first autumn: check you receive a Winter Fuel Payment letter. If you have deferred your State Pension and get no other benefit, claim it yourself.

Common reasons people miss out

• Waiting for the State Pension to start on its own. It has to be claimed.
• Assuming Pension Credit is for other people. Home ownership and modest savings do not rule you out.
• Being part of a couple where one partner is younger. Some help depends on both of you having reached State Pension age. Ask Citizens Advice what you can claim in the meantime.
• Carrying on working. You can work and receive your State Pension, and Attendance Allowance and the bus pass are not affected by earnings.

Common questions

Is State Pension age 66 or 67?

It depends on your date of birth. It is 66 for people born before 6 April 1960, between 66 and 67 for those born from then until 5 March 1961, and 67 for people born from 6 March 1961.

Can I get Pension Credit before State Pension age?

No, but you can apply up to four months early so it starts on time.

Do I have to stop work to claim my State Pension?

No. You can claim it while you carry on working.

Is the State Pension the same in all four nations?

Yes. The State Pension and State Pension age are the same across the UK. It is things like bus passes, prescriptions and winter heating payments that differ.