A State Pension forecast is an official estimate, produced through GOV.UK, of the State Pension you could receive in the future. It shows how much you could get, when you can get it, whether you can increase it, and how to do so. Two routes are available: the GOV.UK online service, which requires sign-in and may require identity checks, and the HMRC app. If you will reach State Pension age in more than 30 days, you can also request a forecast by post using form BR19, or by phoning the Future Pension Centre, which posts the forecast to you.
What the forecast shows
The forecast answers three questions about your future State Pension, with a fourth item covering how an increase would work.
| Item | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Amount | How much State Pension you could get |
| Start timing | When you can get it |
| Increase option | Whether you can increase the amount |
| Method | How to increase it, for example by paying to fill gaps in your National Insurance record |
The forecast is a projection, not a confirmed payment. It assumes that current State Pension rules and your current National Insurance record stay as they are. A rule change, a new gap, or a filled gap can alter the result, so treat each forecast as a snapshot dated to the day you checked it.
Basic State Pension and new State Pension
A forecast can relate to the Basic State Pension, the new State Pension, or both. Which scheme applies depends mainly on when you reach State Pension age, which is linked to your date of birth, not on your employment history. Your National Insurance record affects the amount you could get. Read the forecast itself to confirm which scheme it covers.
How to check the forecast online
The GOV.UK online service is the self-service route for viewing a State Pension forecast. To use it, you must sign in. Start from the official GOV.UK page for checking your State Pension forecast, and do not follow a sign-in link from an unrelated website.
What you need before you start
- A GOV.UK sign-in. The service is locked behind sign-in, so this is the first requirement.
- Photo ID. You may need to prove your identity, usually with a passport or a driving licence. Have one within reach before you begin, because the check can be requested during sign-in.
- Your own details. The forecast relates to your personal National Insurance record, so the sign-in and identity check must belong to the person whose pension is being checked.
Who cannot use the online service
The online service cannot be used by two groups:
| Situation | Online forecast available? |
|---|---|
| Already receiving the State Pension | No |
| Deferred (delayed) claiming the State Pension | No |
If you fall into either group, do not spend time on the sign-in or the identity check for this service. The forecast is designed around a pension that has not yet started, so the online route does not apply to you.
The HMRC app route
A forecast can also be obtained through the HMRC app. This is a second way to get the same type of forecast, not a step in the online service. The official guidance does not set out whether the exclusions above apply to the app, so do not assume the app is open to people who already receive or have deferred their State Pension. Check the official GOV.UK page for how to access the forecast through the app.
Requesting a forecast by post or phone
The postal and phone routes are available only if you will reach State Pension age in more than 30 days. If you are closer than that, the official GOV.UK guidance is the place to confirm what to do.
| Route | How to request | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Post | Complete form BR19 and send it to request a forecast by post | State Pension age more than 30 days away |
| Phone | Call the Future Pension Centre, which posts the forecast to you | State Pension age more than 30 days away |
Form BR19 is the paper request for a forecast. The Future Pension Centre route means you do not need to download or print anything, because the forecast is sent to you. Keep the date of your State Pension age to hand when you make either request, because the 30-day condition depends on it.
Recording what the forecast says
Once you have a forecast, note the figures and keep a dated copy. Record these items each time:
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Date checked | The day you viewed or received the forecast |
| Route | GOV.UK online service, HMRC app, post, or Future Pension Centre |
| Amount | The projected State Pension shown |
| Start timing | When the forecast says you can get it |
| Increase option | Whether the amount can be increased, and the method listed |
| Reason for check | For example, a change to your record or a routine review |
Keep the forecast with your other pension paperwork. A dated record lets you see what changed between checks, which is more useful than comparing against memory.
Using the amount and start timing in your budget
The amount and the start timing work together. A projected amount that starts later changes how much you need to cover from other income in the years before it begins. Read both fields side by side rather than focusing only on the amount.
The increase option answers one question: can the amount be raised? If the forecast says yes, it also indicates the method. The forecast does not state how much the amount would rise from a given payment, so do not treat the increase option as a fixed figure for your budget.
Filling gaps in your National Insurance record
The forecast can show where your National Insurance record is incomplete and whether paying to fill gaps is a way to increase your State Pension. Use the forecast as the starting point:
- Confirm that the forecast says you can increase your State Pension.
- Note each year shown as a gap or incomplete.
- Request the payment details for those years from the official service.
- Decide which years to pay for, then check that your record reflects the change.
Each gap is handled on its own, so record the years separately. Whether filling a gap raises your projected amount depends on your own record. Rely on what your forecast says and on the official GOV.UK guidance rather than on general assumptions.
Conclusion
A State Pension forecast gives you the amount, the start timing, and whether and how you can increase your pension. Check your status first: if you already receive or have deferred your State Pension, the online service is not open to you. Otherwise, sign in with photo ID ready, or use the post or phone route if State Pension age is more than 30 days away. Keep a dated record of each forecast, and recheck when your National Insurance record changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check my State Pension forecast online if I already receive it?
No. The GOV.UK online service cannot be used if you already get your State Pension or have deferred claiming it. Check the official GOV.UK guidance for what options apply to your situation.
Do I need ID to view my forecast online?
You must sign in, and you may be asked to prove your identity, usually with a photo ID such as a passport or driving licence. Have that document ready before you start.
Which State Pension scheme does my forecast cover?
Whether you get the Basic State Pension or the new State Pension depends mainly on when you reach State Pension age, which is linked to your date of birth. Your National Insurance record affects how much you could receive, not which scheme applies, so read the forecast itself to confirm which scheme it covers.
