I am approaching retirement – what should I arrange?
6 tasks in suggested order
1. Check your State Pension age — it is not a compulsory retirement date
Use the official checker to find when you reach State Pension age. There is no general default retirement age of 65, and most people can keep working beyond State Pension age.
When planning retirement or deciding when to claim State Pension.
GOV.UK State Pension age service.
Date of birth.
Some jobs can have a justified or statutory compulsory retirement age, but State Pension age itself does not require you to stop working.
Official source: GOV.UK
2. Get a State Pension forecast and check your National Insurance record
The official forecast can show how much State Pension you may get, when you can get it and whether you may be able to increase it.
Before choosing a retirement date or making voluntary National Insurance decisions.
GOV.UK Check your State Pension forecast service.
Government Gateway or other identity details required by the service.
A forecast is an estimate based on your record; it is not the same as making a pension claim.
Official source: GOV.UK
3. Find old workplace or personal pensions and ask each provider what options apply
If you have lost contact with an old workplace or personal pension, the official Pension Tracing Service can help find provider contact details. It does not tell you whether a pension exists or how much it is worth.
Before retirement if you have pensions from previous employers or providers.
GOV.UK Pension Tracing Service, then the relevant pension provider.
Previous employer or pension scheme names and any records you still hold.
This is a practical Lili planning step, not a legal requirement to consolidate or move pensions. Do not transfer a pension solely because you found it through the tracing service.
Official source: GOV.UK
4. If you plan to stop working, check your employment notice and tell your employer
If applicable: If you decide to leave your employment when retiring.
A decision to retire from a job is treated as a resignation. Check your employment contract and give the notice required for leaving the job.
Before your planned last working day, allowing the contractual or statutory notice period.
Your employer, using the notice method required by your contract.
Employment contract, intended last day and any pension-provider forms that are separate from employment notice.
There is no general official retirement age. You can usually keep working after State Pension age, so only give notice when you have decided to leave the job.
Official source: GOV.UK
5. Claim State Pension when you want it to start — it is not automatic
If applicable: If you are entitled and want State Pension payments to begin.
If you are entitled to State Pension, you must claim it to start payments. You can defer instead if you do not want to claim immediately.
Use the invitation and claim route around State Pension age; if no letter arrives, an invitation code can be requested within 3 months of State Pension age.
GOV.UK/Pension Service; separate routes apply in Northern Ireland and for people claiming from abroad.
Marriage/civil-partnership/divorce date, periods abroad, bank details and foreign social-security numbers where relevant.
Claiming State Pension and stopping work are separate decisions.
Official source: GOV.UK
6. Check Pension Credit and the tax position that applies to your retirement income
If applicable: If your income/circumstances may make you eligible for Pension Credit or you need to check tax on pension income.
Pension Credit is a separate means-tested benefit for people who meet the age and residence rules; in Great Britain it can be claimed up to 4 months before State Pension age and can normally be backdated by up to 3 months if you were eligible. Pension income can also be taxable depending on your total income.
Before or after reaching State Pension age if your income may be low enough for Pension Credit, and when pension income starts or changes.
GOV.UK Pension Credit and tax guidance; Northern Ireland uses its own Pension Credit route.
National Insurance number, income, pensions, savings/investments, partner details where relevant and bank details.
Pension Credit is not automatic and eligibility depends on household circumstances. Do not use Great Britain’s Pension Credit application route for Northern Ireland.
Official source: GOV.UK
