In this section:
It's important that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) know about your income when you retire or reach State Pension age (and again at age 65 if you're a woman) so that they can make sure you stop paying any National Insurance contributions, receive the right tax-free allowances and pay the right amount of tax.
On this page:
As long as HMRC have your date of birth on record, they'll send you a Pension Coding form P161 in the month before you reach State Pension age. This asks about your income, including any pension income, your employment status and other information which can affect your tax and tax allowances.
It's important that you fill in this form and return it. If you don't you won't be considered for increased age-related tax-free allowances and you could end up paying too much tax on your pension income, savings and interest.
If you don't receive the Pension Coding form within a month before reaching State Pension age, you can download the form or complete it online using the second link below. You can also contact HMRC and ask them to send you one.
If you're self-employed you won't automatically get form P161 sent to you. Again, you can download it here, request it from HMRC or complete it online.
Why it's important to fill in your Pension Coding form
Go to form P161 Pension Coding
Taxable and non-taxable income at a glance
Tax if you take the State Pension later on
