The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released the latest statistics showing that the State Pension currently provides a regular financial income for 13 million older people across the country. This payment is available to those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, currently 66 for men and women, and people who have made at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions.
However, people over 80 who either have no Basic State Pension income or receive less than £105.70 each week, could be entitled to additional funds to assist with daily living expenses. The ‘Over 80 Pension‘ currently offers older individuals £105.70 each week if they are not receiving any Basic State Pension, or it tops up the difference to that amount. Low-income individuals over 80 may also qualify for Pension Credit, which could provide more than £4,300 in extra financial support over the 2025/26 financial year.
It’s crucial to note that you cannot claim the ‘Over 80 Pension’ if you reached State Pension age on or after April 6 2016 – if you have, you are eligible for the New State Pension.
The guidance on GOV.uk states you can claim the over 80 pension if all of the following apply:
- 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
If you reside in or are relocating to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, find out about pensions and benefits for UK nationals in the EU, EEA and Switzerland on GOV.UK here. Your qualification for the over 80 pension isn’t dependent on National Insurance contributions, reports the Daily Record.
How to claim
You can get a claim form from either:
The earliest you can claim is three months before your 80th birthday. You can get a claim form sent to you from the Pension Service by calling 0800 731 7898. Full details on GOV.UK here.
Pension Credit
Some elderly people believe that because they have savings or own their home, they wouldn’t qualify for the means-tested benefit, which can also offer help with housing costs, winter heating assistance and Council Tax.
An award of just £1 per week is sufficient to unlock other support. Pension Credit boosts 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 payment for those who:
- have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
Fast way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Elderly people, or their friends and family, can quickly verify their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here. Alternatively, pensioners can ring the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert guidance and advice is also readily available from:
Pension Credit provides additional funds to assist with living expenses for those over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also grant access to a variety of other benefits. The benefit boosts income to a minimum of £227.10 per week for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples – more if an individual has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Other help if you get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other 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 and access to the higher rates of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law was altered so a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are deemed to be a ‘working age’ couple when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits. This suggest- they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both are of State Pension age. Prior to this DWP alteration, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
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 have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week. All that’s left is to follow the link to the application page to discover exactly what you will receive from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There’s also an option to print off the answers you provide using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to ensure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:
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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 start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age and you can claim any time after you reach State Pension age, but your claim can only be backdated for three months. This means you can receive up to three months of Pension Credit in your initial payment if you were eligible during that period.
You will 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 information about your income, savings and investments on the date you wish your claim to commence.
How to apply online
You can use the online service if:
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you have already claimed your State Pension
-
there are no children or young people included in your claim
To check your entitlement, phone 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.
