Check vs claim
The two services
Check is a forecast service. You can run it at any age over 16. It does not start any pension payments1.
Claim is the action that triggers payments. You can claim from 4 months before SPA via the DWP invitation letter or gov.uk online claim service2.
Step 1: check your forecast
Use gov.uk/check-state-pension. You will need a Government Gateway login. The forecast shows your current entitlement, your COPE figure, and the maximum you could get with future contributions3.
Step 2: wait for the DWP invitation
The DWP writes to you around 4 months before your SPA with a claim invitation. The invitation contains a unique reference number that the online claim service needs.
Step 3: claim or defer
Claim online at gov.uk/claim-state-pension-online, or by phone via the Pension Service. If you do nothing, you are automatically treated as deferring and your eventual weekly amount will be uplifted by 1% per 9 weeks of deferral4.