A new report has exposed a widespread failure among Britain's pensioners to claim significant financial support, with three-quarters of eligible individuals missing out on an average of £1,339 each year.
An 'Epidemic' of Unclaimed Support
According to data released by retirement specialists Just Group on Wednesday 07 January 2026, a staggering 74% of pensioner homeowners who qualify for government benefits are not claiming them. This is despite the fact these households are likely to be on low incomes and struggling amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
David Cooper, a director at Just Group, described the situation as an "epidemic" of pensioners missing out on income they are rightfully owed. The research indicates that more than four in ten (42%) pensioner homeowners are eligible for at least one key benefit, but the vast majority are not receiving this crucial financial aid.
Key Benefits Going Unclaimed
The support that is being missed includes several important schemes. These are Guaranteed Pension Credit, Savings Pension Credit, council tax reductions, and Universal Credit.
The figures for council tax support are particularly stark. Among those who qualify for a reduction, fewer than one in four (24%) are actually claiming it, even though the average new claim is worth over £1,000 per year.
Mr Cooper emphasised the importance of Pension Credit, stating, "Guaranteed pension credit is the main means-tested benefit for older people and a gateway to a range of other benefits such as winter fuel payment, but we found more than two thirds who were eligible were missing out."
The Scale of the Shortfall
The report breaks down the extent of the problem in detail:
- 62% of pensioners were missing out on one key benefit.
- 12% were failing to claim two separate benefits.
- 5% were missing out on three forms of support.
Furthermore, the issue isn't limited to non-claimants. The study found that nearly one in seven (14%) of those who do manage to claim are still receiving too little, losing out on an additional £1,162 of annual income on average.
In one extreme case uncovered by the research, a customer was missing a staggering £113.03 per week, which adds up to £5,877 over a full year.
A Call for Awareness and Action
The primary reason for this mass under-claiming appears to be a simple lack of awareness. Many homeowners are completely unaware that these support options exist or that they must actively apply for them, as benefits like Pension Credit are not paid automatically.
Mr Cooper's report raises serious questions about the guidance available to people approaching and living in retirement. He urged pensioners to take action, saying, "It’s important cash-strapped pensioner households do not simply assume there is no state help available - a five-minute check could unlock thousands of pounds of income each year."
The findings echo previous Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures reported by The Independent, which showed nearly a million pensioners were missing out on the two components of Pension Credit alone.
