Adam Thompson, tax manager of expat financial advisers The Fry Group says you should get a letter four months before you reach state pension age, assuming the UK authorities know where you are!

“This letter will tell you what you need to do to receive any state pension you are due,” says Thompson. “If you have not received a letter three months before you reach state pension age you will need to phone the claim line and they will tell you what you need to do. The contact number for the International Pension Centre is +44 (0) 191 218 7777.

“If you were born before 6 December 1953, then your state pension age is 65. If you were born between 6 December 1953 and 5 October 1954, you will reach state pension age between 65 and 66. If you were born between 6 October 1954 and 5 April 1960, you will reach state pension age at 66.”