Many pensioners in the UK might not know that they can boost their retirement income by simply waiting a bit longer to claim their State Pension. If you’re willing to delay your pension by one year, you could receive up to £694 extra. This option applies to men born on or after April 6, 1951, and women born on or after April 6, 1953.
Currently, the State Pension age is 66. But reaching this age doesn’t mean your payments will start automatically. You need to apply through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to start receiving it.
What Happens If You Delay Your Pension?
When you reach State Pension age, the DWP will send you a letter two months before your birthday. The letter will ask if you want to start claiming your pension or defer it. If you don’t respond, your pension will automatically be delayed until you decide to claim it.
Deferring your pension means that for every 9 weeks you delay, your weekly amount goes up by 1%. If you delay it for one full year, your pension will increase by 5.8%, which is currently worth £694.20 extra per year. That works out to about £13.35 more per week.
Who Is Eligible for This Pension Boost?
This option is only available if you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. You also need to qualify for the new State Pension, which currently pays £230.25 per week if you’re entitled to the full amount.
To get the full new State Pension, you need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions. To get any State Pension, you must have at least 10 qualifying years on your record.
If you get less than the full amount, your deferred boost will be smaller, but you can still benefit from the 1% increase every 9 weeks.
How Much Has the State Pension Increased Recently?
As of April 2025, the UK Government has increased the full new State Pension by 4.1%, from £221.20 to £230.25 per week. This is a yearly boost of £470 for pensioners receiving the full amount.
The basic State Pension has also gone up, from £169.50 to £176.45 per week, giving an annual increase of £360.
Government’s Focus on Pensioners
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell confirmed that the government is committed to improving pensioners’ lives. With an additional £7.84 billion added to the State Pension budget this year, the aim is to provide better financial support for retirees. The government is also working to raise Pension Credit uptake and investing £26 billion in the NHS.
If you’re approaching retirement age and can afford to wait, deferring your State Pension for a year could give you a nice boost of up to £694. While this might not seem like a lot, it adds up over time and can make a difference to your overall retirement income. It’s a smart move for those who don’t immediately need the money and want to increase their weekly pension amount in the long run.
FAQs
How can pensioners get an extra £694 from the State Pension?
Pensioners can get up to £694 extra per year by deferring their State Pension for one full year after reaching State Pension age.
Who is eligible to defer their State Pension?
Men born on or after April 6, 1951, and women born on or after April 6, 1953, who have reached the State Pension age of 66 and haven’t yet claimed it.
How much does the State Pension increase if you defer it?
If you defer your pension for 9 weeks, it increases by 1%. Over a full year, this adds up to about 5.8% or £694.20 extra if you’re receiving the full pension.
Do I need to inform DWP if I want to defer my pension?
No, if you do nothing after receiving the letter from the DWP, your pension is automatically deferred until you choose to claim it.
What is the full State Pension rate in 2025?
As of April 2025, the full new State Pension is £230.25 per week, which adds up to £11,973 annually if you’re eligible for the full amount.
Dear; Madame/Sir im born 02/05/1955 in south africa can i apply for dwp pension funds.let me now in this regard Mr Hendrik Williams address; 8 antonio street diazville saldanha bay western cape south africa 7395.
Whatsapp number; +27712272161.
No you can not claim
Why in Evans name is it restricted in this way. I would have people born in the 1930s would or should be in more need. Is it government policy to remove all born before this date by keeping their pensions deliberately low.
Good evening.
At present I gave up work due to my constant epileptic seizures, I am at present getting P I P payment, what other benefits can I claim