DWP Pension Credit Update: Minister Confirms Exclusion for Mixed-Age Couples
Pension Credit, a means-tested benefit designed to assist low-income individuals over the State Pension age, has been a topic of heated debate following a recent ministerial confirmation. The benefit tops up income to a guaranteed minimum level, currently set at £227.10 for singles and £346.60 for couples, and can unlock additional support for health and housing costs.
Rule Upholds Exclusion for Mixed-Age Relationships
However, a specific rule mandates that couples where one partner is under the State Pension age of 66 are ineligible for Pension Credit, regardless of their low income. This policy has drawn scrutiny from Liberal Democrat MP Liz Jarvis, who questioned its impact on "mixed-age" couples struggling financially.
In a written inquiry to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Jarvis sought an assessment of how this requirement affects pensioner poverty levels among such couples. She highlighted the necessity for both members to reach State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit.
Minister Defends Policy as Vital for Employment Support
In response, Stephen Timms, the Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions, defended the rule as "important." He explained that it ensures mixed-age couples access the working-age social security system, primarily Universal Credit, until both partners reach pension age.
Timms emphasised that this approach allows the younger partner to benefit from employment support tailored for those below State Pension age, including specialised assistance for individuals over 50. The older partner is placed in a no-work related requirements group, balancing support with economic participation.
The minister also noted the government's efforts to combat poverty through Universal Credit, citing a sustained above-inflation increase to the standard allowance. From April 2026, this will see a 3.8% uprating, followed by a further 2.3%, aimed at alleviating living costs for all claimants.
Historical Context and Charitable Criticism
Prior to 2019, mixed-age couples could choose between Pension Credit and working-age benefits. A government change that year reclassified them as "working age" for means-tested benefits, a move criticised by Age UK as "unfair" and potentially forcing pensioners into financial hardship.
Age UK warned that this could incentivise couples to live apart to claim higher benefits, undermining relationship stability. More recently, Independent Age, a charity addressing financial hardship in later life, has called for the rule's reversal, citing government data showing affected couples lose approximately £5,900 annually, with some losses reaching £7,000.
Charity Highlights Real-World Impacts
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, shared a poignant example from their helpline: a 79-year-old unable to claim Pension Credit due to a 59-year-old partner, meaning they must wait until age 87 for support. She condemned the system as "flawed," where couples of similar ages are treated differently based on partner age.
Elson urged the UK Government to end this "unfair" rule, arguing that love and partnership should not dictate financial aid. She stressed that many older couples face severe income constraints, risking deep financial hardship, especially when the younger partner is in low-paid work, has health issues, or provides care.
The charity's campaign emphasises the urgent need for policy reform to prevent further escalation of pensioner poverty among mixed-age couples, advocating for a return to pre-2019 eligibility criteria to ensure equitable support for all low-income seniors.
