On the subject of State Pensions.
You can actually delay claiming it and currently find advantages in doing that.
For each full year that is defered the pension gets increased by around 10%
Don't forget there is no tax paid or due on state pension until you actually get it if your income is high enough. So that 10% enhancement during the first year is tax free.
After 12 months delay you can claim it as a lump sum payment. (tax paid of course)
Once you decide to take the pension any enhancement you received continues to be paid for the rest of your life.
