What happens if I delay my State Pension?

For people who have reached State Pension age and choose not to claim immediately.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

If you don't claim at State Pension age, it defers automatically. When you claim, you can usually get the deferred amount as a one-off payment or as higher regular payments.

Extra payments could be taxed.
You can't build it up while you or your partner get certain benefits.
What you get depends on when you reached State Pension age.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Defers automatically
Lump sum or higher payments
May be taxed

How much more you get if you defer

If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, your State Pension goes up by 1% for every 9 weeks you put it off. That works out at just under 5.8% for every full year.

You must defer for at least 9 weeks for any increase to apply.

Deferred for	Approximate increase	Extra per week on the full rate (£241.30)
9 weeks	1%	£2.41
1 year	about 5.8%	about £13.94
2 years	about 11.6%	about £27.88

The extra amount is paid with your regular State Pension and usually rises each year in line with inflation.

Is it worth it?

It depends on your health, your other income and how long you expect to draw your pension. As a rough guide, if you defer for a year you give up about £12,548 of pension. At around £725 extra a year, it takes roughly 17 years to make that back.

Deferring can still make sense if you are working and paying higher-rate tax now, and expect to pay less tax later.

How to defer

You do not need to do anything. If you do not claim your State Pension when you reach State Pension age, it is deferred automatically. When you want it to start, claim it.

Things to know

If you or your partner get certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Carer's Allowance, you cannot build up any extra while deferring.
When you claim, you can choose a one-off arrears payment of up to 52 weeks (12 months) instead of higher weekly payments, or a mix of both. If you deferred for more than 52 weeks, you get the rest as extra State Pension. No interest is added to the arrears payment.
Any extra you get from deferring could be taxed.
Your husband, wife or civil partner can only inherit extra State Pension from deferring if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

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Common questions

How much extra State Pension do I get if I defer?

If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, you get 1% more for every 9 weeks you defer. That is just under 5.8% for every 52 weeks.

What is the minimum time I can defer my State Pension?

You must defer for at least 9 weeks to get increased regular payments.

Can I get my deferred State Pension as a lump sum?

You can choose a one-off payment of up to 52 weeks of arrears, higher regular payments, or both.

Which benefits stop me building up extra State Pension?

You cannot build it up while getting benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Carer's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. The same applies if your partner gets Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Official sources

1.Defer (delay) your State Pensionwww.gov.uk/deferring-state-pension
2.Defer your State Pension: if you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016www.gov.uk/deferring-state-pension/if-you-reach-state-pension-age-on-or-after-6-april-2016
3.Defer your State Pension: getting benefits while deferringwww.gov.uk/deferring-state-pension/getting-benefits

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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