More than 700,000 older people are eligible for a State Pension top-up that could provide an average of £4,300 in extra income each year, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The State Pension currently provides regular financial income to over 13 million older people across the country, including more than one million retirees living in Scotland. This payment is available to those who have reached State Pension age – which recently started a phased rise from 66 to 67 for both men and women across Great Britain – and have paid at least 10 years' worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions.
Over 80 Pension
People over 80 who have no Basic State Pension income or have a weekly income of less than £110.75 could be due extra money to help with daily living expenses. The 'Over 80 Pension' provides older people with £110.75 each week if they are receiving no Basic State Pension, or makes up the difference to that amount.
People over 80 on a low income may also be eligible for Pension Credit, which could provide more than £4,300 in extra financial support over the 2026/27 financial year.
You cannot get 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 £110.75 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
Your eligibility for the over 80 pension is not based on National Insurance contributions. You can get a claim form from your local Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service. 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.
Pension Credit
Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit that could provide an average of £4,300 in support during the year ahead. However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still over 700,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, winter heating help and Council Tax. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £238.00 a week for single pensioners or £363.25 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and live in Great Britain.
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from Independent Age, Income Max, Citizens Advice and Age UK.
Other help and how to claim
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, and a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house.
In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. 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 get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
You will need your National Insurance number, information about your income, savings and investments, and 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 start.
You can use the online service if you have already claimed your State Pension and 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 to find out how much you could get.
