Martin Lewis has urged pensioners not to miss out on Pension Credit, a DWP benefit worth an average of £3,000 a year, as the Prime Minister announces plans to scrap the state pension triple lock.
The money expert, founder of MoneySavingExpert, says it is “shameful” that hundreds of thousands of the poorest pensioners fail to claim what they are entitled to.
Triple Lock Reform Plans
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to reform the triple lock into a double lock by removing the link to earnings. The triple lock currently guarantees the state pension rises annually by whichever is the highest of earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent, but is placing increasing pressure on UK public finances.
In a post on X, Martin Lewis said: “If the triple lock on pensions will be scrapped. The 1st priority is to fix Pension Credit - the top up for the lowest earning pensioners to give them a basic minimum income. Shamefully many 100,000s of the poorest pensions still miss out on what they're entitled to.”
Who Can Claim Pension Credit?
Campaigners for older people say Pension Credit delivers an average of an extra £3,000 for those who qualify. The government says reforming the triple lock will free up around £15 billion a year by the end of the 2030s.
Pension Credit was claimed by around 1.39 million people in August 2025, according to government figures. It offers additional financial assistance for those over State Pension age who are on a low income, and can also help towards housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
You may be entitled to extra support if you are a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person, the government states. Pension Credit is entirely separate from your State Pension.
How Much Can You Get?
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £238 if you're single, or your joint weekly income to £363.25 if you have a partner. You may receive additional amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs.
Those living with a severe disability could receive an additional £86.05 per week, provided they are in receipt of Attendance Allowance or certain other qualifying benefits.
Age UK points out that a number of misconceptions exist around claiming Pension Credit. Its website states: “The average Pension Credit payment is actually over £65 per week – that's well over an extra £3,000 per year. Even if you only got a few pounds, getting Pension Credit can provide a passport to help with things like rent, council tax, Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence for people aged 75+ and extra support with the cost-of-living crisis.”
Figures released by the DWP in October 2025 showed that as many as 910,000 families entitled to Pension Credit had yet to submit a claim. To make a claim for Pension Credit or to find out further details regarding eligibility criteria, head to the dedicated government webpage.
