The Local Citizens Advice Office has seen several people who have been struggling financially because they have not claimed the New State Retirement Pension. This could be because people are unsure of their state pension age or they may not be aware that you now have to contact the Pension Service and make the claim for the New State Retirement Pension.

Usually, the Pension Service send out a letter prior to the retirement date informing people of the amount of State Retirement Pension entitlement and providing instructions on how to make the claim. However, on occasion these letters have not been sent out resulting in people not claiming their State Retirement Pension.

Should you wish to check your state pension age you can check online on https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age. Alternatively, you can call into your local Citizens Advice office and an advisor can help you check your retirement date and if required assist you to make a claim for your state pension.

Office location and opening times can be found on http://citizensadvicecd.org.uk/contact/ or by calling into your local office.

Newton Aycliffe office opening times are as follows:

Tuesday

10.00am to 4.00pm General Advice

10.00am to 1.00pm Debt Advice

Wednesday

10.00am to 4.00pm General Advice

10.00am to 1.00pm Debt Advice

Friday

10.00am to 1.00pm General Advice

10.00am to 1.00pm Debt Advice