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Money, tax and benefits

Money, tax and benefits

Retirement checklist: who to notify, when and why

As you near State Pension age you can take simple steps to ensure you get the State Pension and other age-related benefits you may be entitled to. You also need to contact your Tax Office to make sure you get increased allowances and pay the right amount of tax.

Pension and age-related benefits

Claim your State Pension

Four months before you reach State Pension age, you'll receive a letter outlining the choices you have about when to claim your State Pension and inviting you to claim it.

If you don't hear anything, call The Pension Service on 0800 731 7898. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, and on Saturday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. You can also download an application form from The Pension Service website.

You'll need to send the form to your nearest pension centre. You can search for this online, or look under 'The Pension Service' in your local phone book.

Claim the Winter Fuel Payment

If you're aged 60 or over, you could be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment towards your heating bills.

In most cases this is paid automatically, but you can check that you're entitled to a payment by calling the helpline on 0845 915 1515. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Apply for Pension Credit if you're on a low income

If you are aged 60 or over and living in Great Britain then Pension Credit guarantees a minimum weekly income of £130 if you are single and £198.45 if you have a partner. If your income is below these amounts then Pension Credit can make up the difference.

For more details, call the Pension Credit application line on freephone 0800 991 234 or textphone on 0800 169 0133. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm and on Saturday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. Or you can download a form to complete and post to your pension centre free of charge.

Cold Weather Payments

You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits.

Cold Weather Payments are paid during periods of very cold weather to help with extra heating costs. They are paid automatically so you don't need to claim them.

Other benefits you may be entitled to

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to other benefits when you retire, such as Carer's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

Notifying your Tax Office

Your employer and any pension provider will normally notify HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) when you retire. But to prevent a delay that might result in an overpayment or underpayment of tax, it's also best to contact them yourself.

If you're self-employed and about to retire, you must always contact your Tax Office yourself.

What you need to tell your Tax Office and why

You'll need to confirm the following information:

  • your tax reference and National Insurance number (you'll find these on your P60 if you were employed and your Statement of Account and other correspondence if you were self-employed)
  • your date of birth – to ensure you get the more generous age-related allowances from the right date
  • the start date and amount of your State Pension – so they can make sure you pay the right amount of tax on it if you're a taxpayer
  • the start date and amount of any company or personal pensions you'll be receiving – to ensure you don't overpay or underpay tax on these

If you have income from other sources, such as investments, you can also check whether you need to fill in a Self Assessment tax return if you're not doing so already.

If you don't contact your Tax Office they may send you a form P161 to confirm the details given by your employer and pension provider.

Your pensions and tax

State Pension is paid to you without any tax taken off, whereas other pensions are normally taxed before you receive them. That's why it's important for the Tax Office to know how much you're receiving of each type of pension and when payments began. If you're a taxpayer you'll need to pay tax on your State Pension. If you're not you may be due a refund of tax on other pensions.

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