The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published new figures showing that around 12.7 million older people across the UK are now receiving a regular income from the State Pension.
This benefit is available to those who have reached the retirement age of 66, as determined by the UK Government, and have paid National Insurance contributions for at least 10 years.
However, people over the age of 80 who do not receive a Basic State Pension income or who earn less than £101.55 a week may be eligible for additional funds to help with their daily living costs. The ‘Over the Age 80s Pension’ provides those who do not receive a Basic State Pension with £101.55 each week or topping up their income to this amount.
Additionally, over-66s and those on low incomes may be eligible for Pension Credit, which provides additional financial support worth more than £3,900 a year on average.
Claiming ‘Over 80s Retirement Pension’
It’s important to know that if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, you won’t be able to get the ‘Over 80s Pension’ – if you did, you will be eligible for the New State Pension.
The guidance on GOV.uk states that you can apply for the Over 80s pension if all of the following apply:
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You are 80 years old or older
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You do not receive Basic State Pension or your Basic State Pension is less than £101.55 per week
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You have been resident in the UK for at least 10 of the 20 years (this does not have to be 10 consecutive years) – this 20-year period must include the day before you turn 80 or any day after you turn 80.
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You were ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or on the date you applied for this pension; if you later
If you live in or are moving to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, find out about pensions and benefits for UK citizens in the EU, EEA and Switzerland at GOV.UK.
How to request
You can get the request form from:
The earliest you can claim is three months before your 80th birthday. You can call Pensions Services on 0800 731 7898 and they will send you a claim form. Full details on GOV.UK here.
Retirement Loan
Pension Credit provides additional funds to help with the costs of living for those over State Pension age and on low incomes. It also provides access to a range of other benefits.
What counts as income for Pension Credit?
Your income includes:
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State Pension
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other retirements
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earnings from employment and self-employment
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most social security benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance
What is not counted as income?
Not all benefits count as income. For example, the following do not count:
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Adult Disability Payment
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Participation fee
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Christmas bonus
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Child support
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Disability living assistance
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Personal Independence Payment
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Social fund payments such as Winter Fuel Assistance
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Housing Assistance
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Council Tax Reduction
A reward of just £1 a week is enough to unlock other support such as housing costs, heating bills and council tax.
The quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people or their friends and family can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of how much they could receive using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK.
Alternatively, pensioners can make a claim directly by calling the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 – the lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
The DWP has also published a new video on YouTube that provides a full step-by-step guide to using the online calculator. You can watch it here.
Other benefits if you receive Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you may also be able to receive other benefits, such as:
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Housing Assistance if you rent out your property
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Mortgage Interest Support if you own the real estate you live in
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Council Tax relief
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Free TV licence if you are 75 or over
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Help with travel costs for NHS dental treatment, glasses and hospital appointments
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Help with your heating costs with the Warm Home Discount Program
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Discount on Royal Mail forwarding service if you’re moving house
Mixed-age senior couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019 the law changed so that ‘mixed-aged couples’ (couples where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under that age) are counted as a ‘working-age’ couple when checking whether they qualify for means-tested benefits.
This means they will not be able to claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they both reach State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed-age couple would only be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits once one of them reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Loan calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK you will need the following information:
You will need the same information for your partner, if you have one. You will be presented with a series of questions with multiple-choice answer options.
This includes:
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Your date of birth
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Your residence status
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Where in England do you live?
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Even if you are registered blind
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What benefits are you currently receiving?
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How much money do you receive each week for any benefits you receive?
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Whether someone is receiving Caring Allowance to look after you
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How much do you receive each week in pensions – State Pension, individual and work pensions
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Any employment gains
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Do you have any savings, investments or bonds?
Once you’ve answered these questions, a summary screen will show your answers and allow you to go back and change them before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator will then show you how much benefit you could receive each week.
All you need to do is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you can get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There’s also the option to print your answers using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to search for the same details again. Try the Pension Loan Calculator for yourself or a family member to make sure you’re getting all the financial support you deserve.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if: You or your partner:
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Are you postponing your State Pension?
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owning more than one property
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self-employed
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If you have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) that are neither mortgage payments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a request?
You can start your claim up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim at any time after you reach State Pension age, but your claim can only be backdated to three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit on your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
You will need:
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Your National Insurance number
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information about your income, savings and investments
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Your bank account details if you are applying by phone or post
If you are making your claim retrospectively, you will need details of your income, savings and investments from the date you want your claim to start.
You can use the online service if:
To check if you’re eligible, call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.