People of State Pension age may be due extra benefits, discounts or payments. According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), there are now 13.2 million people of State Pension age across Great Britain, including over 1.1 million living in Scotland.
Many of those in retirement rely on the contributory benefit as their main source of income. It provides essential financial support of up to £965 every four weeks for 4.1 million people in receipt of the New State Pension. Some 8.8 million people who retired before April 2016 also receive up to £739 every payment period through the Basic State Pension.
Pension Credit and other support
Pension Credit is worth £4,300 a year on average and currently takes around 50 working days (10 weeks) to process. First payments for successful claimants made this month would arrive before the end of November.
Pension Credit currently gives 1.4 million people across the UK - including over 125,000 in Scotland - extra money to help with living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It is a 'passport' benefit providing on average around £4,300 this year in financial support, acting as a 'gateway' to Council Tax discounts, help with housing costs and NHS discounts along with free TV Licences for the over-75s.
Benefits and discounts available
Benefits and discounts available in retirement include State Pension, Pension Credit, help with Council Tax, help with heating costs, health benefits such as Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, travel and TV benefits, and benefits for war widows and widowers.
For anyone approaching the official age of retirement - which has now started rising to 67 - it's important to be aware of certain benefits you can claim from the DWP plus discounts on Council Tax, help with heating costs and more. Similarly, those already receiving State Pension payments may not be aware of more than a dozen ways they might be able to boost their current income over the next few months.
How to check eligibility
The easiest way to check eligibility for any benefit, discount or reduction is to use an online benefits calculator. The MoneyHelper website has compiled a comprehensive list along with quick eligibility checks to ensure older people are accessing essential support in later life.
If you have an older family member or friends who do not have access to the internet, or is not familiar with using a computer, give them a hand to ensure they are not missing out on additional financial support in 2026.
