What happens if?
I go into hospital or someone I claim for goes into hospital?
You must tell The Pension Service as soon as you go into or come out of hospital, if you get an increase for someone paid with your State Pension.
I go to live abroad or visit?
Contact The Pension Service as soon as you can to let us know you are going abroad.
You can continue to get your State Pension anywhere in the world. Most benefits are affected if you are going abroad. You can get more information about certain countries on the Department for Work and Pensions website, or read the frequently asked questions about living overseas in our A to Z section.
I go abroad for 3 months or less
If you have your State Pension paid into an account, this can continue. If you are paid by cheque you can ask us to pay the money into an account or we will pay your State Pension as a lump sum when you return to the UK.
I go abroad for between 6 and 12 months
If you have your State Pension paid into an account, this can continue. You can then arrange to transfer the money abroad.
If you do not want this to continue, we can send a cheque (in sterling) at the end of every 4 or 13 weeks. We can send this straight to you, your overseas bank or someone else appointed by you.
If you prefer, we can pay your State Pension as a lump sum when you return to the UK.
I go abroad for 12 months or permanently
We can pay your State Pension straight into your overseas account in some countries.
If this is not possible or if you prefer, we can pay your State Pension into a UK account or we can send a cheque (in sterling) at the end of every 4 or 13 weeks. We can send this straight to you, your overseas bank or someone else outside the UK chosen by you.
If you are away for less than two years we can pay your State Pension as a lump sum when you return to the UK.
If your State Pension is £5 a week or less and is paid once a year, we will continue to pay it in this way while you are abroad.
Your first payment after you leave the UK may be delayed, but we will make every effort to keep any delay as short as possible.
Special arrangements may have to be made if you need payments made to Pakistan, India or Bangladesh.
You can continue to get your State Pension anywhere in the world, but in some countries you may not be able to get an increase in your State Pension for your dependants or the yearly increase in your payments. Contact The Pension Service before you go abroad.
I start voluntary work?
State Pension is not usually affected by voluntary work.
I go into residential care or a nursing home?
Your State Pension may be affected. Contact The Pension Service as soon as you go into care or a home and we will advise you.