State pensioners aged 80 or over can receive a top-up payment worth up to £110.75 per week through a single claim to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This 'over 80 pension' is designed for older pensioners who receive a basic State Pension of less than £110.75 per week, or have no basic State Pension at all.
Understanding the Over 80 Pension
The basic State Pension is available to men born before April 6, 1951, and women born before April 6, 1953. Following a 4.8% uprating at the start of the new tax year on April 6, the full standard rate now stands at £184.90 per week, equating to a maximum of £9,614.80 annually. However, the full amount depends on your National Insurance record. If your basic State Pension is less than £184.90 per week, you may not have enough qualifying years.
If your weekly payments are below £110.75 and you are over 80, you can top up your income by claiming the over 80 pension, also known as a Category D State Pension. This is paid to eligible older pensioners on a low income.
New Rates for 2026/27
The April uplift increased the Category D weekly rate from £105.70 to £110.75 for the 2026/27 tax year, a weekly increase of £5.05. Over the full tax year, this provides an annual income boost of up to £262.20 if you qualify for the full amount, averaging £21.88 per month.
The Category D pension is not a separate weekly payment but a top-up to your existing basic State Pension, usually paid every four weeks. Eligible pensioners can increase their weekly payments up to £110.75 under the new rates.
Eligibility Criteria
The over 80 pension is only available to those aged 80 or over. You cannot claim it if you reached State Pension age on or after April 6, 2016. To qualify, you must have been a UK resident for at least 10 years out of a 20-year period, which must include the day before you turned 80 or any day after. Alternatively, you must have been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, the Isle of Man, or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or the date you submitted your claim.
Unlike the basic and new State Pension, eligibility for the over 80 pension is not based on National Insurance contributions. However, the over 80 pension counts as taxable income, which may affect other benefits you receive.
How Much You Can Get
The amount you receive depends on your existing basic State Pension. If you do not get the basic State Pension or receive less than £110.75 per week, you can get the difference paid up to this amount. For example, if you are 80 years old and receive £45 per week basic State Pension, your payment may be topped up by £66.75 to £110.75 per week.
How to Claim
To claim the over 80 pension, request a form from your local Jobcentre Plus or call the Pension Service at 0800 731 7898. The earliest you can submit a claim is up to three months before your 80th birthday, or any time after.
This top-up provides a valuable income boost for older pensioners on low incomes, helping to ensure a more comfortable retirement.
