The DWP has released new information on the number of people claiming the State Pension, as well as the Pension Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released new figures showing that 13 million people across the UK are currently receiving the State Pension. It’s available to both men and women who’ve reached the UK Government’s retirement age of 66 and have made at least ten years’ worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions.
However, if you’re over 80 with no Basic State Pension coming in, or your weekly income is less than £105.70, you could be eligible for some additional funds to help cover living costs.
The ‘Over 80 Pension’ currently provides £105.70 each week to those not receiving any Basic State Pension, or tops up the difference to that amount. Furthermore, if you’re over 80 and on a low income, you might also qualify for Pension Credit, which could add more than £4,300 to your bank account during the 2025/26 tax year, as reported by the Daily Record.
Claiming the ‘Over 80 Pension’
It’s important to note that you can’t apply for the ‘Over 80 Pension’ if you reached State Pension age on or after April 6, 2016 – if you did, you’re eligible for the New State Pension, according to Plymouth Live. The official guidance on GOV.uk states that you can make a claim for the over 80 pension if all the following criteria are met:
- You are 80 or over
- You do not get Basic State Pension or your Basic State Pension is less than £105.70 a week
- You were resident in the UK for at least 10 years out of 20 (this does not have to be 10 years in a row) – this 20 year period must include the day before you turned 80 or any day after
- You were ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or the date you made the claim for this pension, if later
Pension Credit
At present, nearly 1.4 million golden oldies across the UK are pocketing this means-tested benefit that could dish out an average of £4,300 in help for the coming year. But, according to fresh stats from the DWP, there are still 760,000 eligible pensioners who aren’t claiming the money they’re due.
Some seniors believe that because they’ve got a bit stashed away or own their home, they wouldn’t be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also unlock help with housing costs, Winter Fuel Payment and Council Tax. Even an award of just £1 per week is enough to open the door to extra support.
New claims lodged before September that get the green light will also be in line for the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 a week for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. It’s a tax-free payout for those who:
- have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
Quickest way to check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit
Older people, or their friends and family, can quickly check if they’re eligible and get a rough idea of potential benefits using the online Pension Credit calculator available on GOV.UK here. Alternatively, pensioners can give the Pension Credit helpline a call to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also on hand from:
Pension Credit provides additional financial assistance for those over the State Pension age who are on a low income. It also paves the way to several other benefits.
This support guarantees a minimum weekly income of £227.10 for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples, with higher amounts available for those with disabilities or caring responsibilities.
Additional Assistance with Pension Credit
If you’re eligible for Pension Credit, you can also receive other forms of help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed Age Couples and Pension Credit
As of May 2019, the rules shifted so that ‘mixed age couples’ – where one partner is over State Pension age and the other isn’t – are now considered a ‘working age’ couple when applying for means-tested benefits.
This implies they’re not eligible for Pension Credit or Housing Benefit for pensioners until both partners have reached State Pension age. Prior to this change by the DWP, mixed age couples could receive the more generous pension-age benefits as soon as one partner reached State Pension age.
Utilising the Pension Credit Calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
- earnings, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you’ve filled in the blanks, a summary screen will pop up showing your answers, giving you the chance to double-check and tweak them before hitting submit. The Pension Credit calculator will then give you a rough idea of the weekly amount you might be entitled to.
From there, just click on the link to the application page to find out your exact entitlement from the DWP, including any extra financial support available.
There’s also an option to print your responses from the calculator tool to speed up the application process without having to remember all the same details. Give the Pension Credit Calculator a whirl for yourself or a family member to make sure you’re claiming all the financial support you’re entitled to.
Who can’t use the Pension Credit calculator?
The calculator is a no-go if you or your partner:
- are deferring your State Pension
- own more than one property
- are self employed
- have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a claim
You can kick off your application up to four months before you hit State Pension age. While you can apply at any point after reaching that age, your claim can only be backdated by up to three months.
If you were eligible during that period, your first payment could include up to three months of Pension Credit.
You’ll need:
- your National Insurance number
- information about your income, savings and investments
- your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post
If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to kick in.
Apply online
You can use the online service if:
- you have already claimed your State Pension
- there are no children or young people included in your claim
To check your entitlement, ring the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could pocket.
