The most recent figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal the State Pension currently delivers a regular financial income for 13.2 million elderly people throughout the nation.
This payment is accessible for those who have reached the UK Government’s qualifying retirement age, which is presently 66 for both men and women, and have contributed at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance (NI) payments. However, individuals over 80 who have no Basic State Pension income or receive a weekly income of less than £105.70 each week, may be entitled to additional money to assist them with everyday living costs.
The ‘Over 80 Pension‘ presently provides elderly people with £105.70 each week if they are receiving no Basic State Pension, or compensates the shortfall to that sum.
People over 80 on a low income may also qualify for Pension Credit, which could deliver more than £4,300 in additional financial support each year , reports the Daily Record.
Claiming the ‘Over 80 Pension’
It’s crucial to understand you are not eligible for the ‘Over 80 Pension’ if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 – if this applies, you qualify for the New State Pension instead.
The guidance on GOV.uk indicates 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 £105.70 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
If you reside in or are relocating to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, information regarding pensions and benefits for UK nationals in the EU, EEA and Switzerland is available on GOV.UK here. Eligibility for the over-80 pension doesn’t depend on your National Insurance contribution record.
How to claim
You can obtain a claim form from either:
Applications can be submitted up to three months prior to reaching your 80th birthday. Request a claim form from the Pension Service by ringing 0800 731 7898. Complete information is available on GOV.UK here.
State Pension Rates 2026/27
Full New State Pension
- Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)
- Four-weekly pay period: £965.20
- Annual amount: £12,547
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)
- Four-weekly pay period: £739.60
- Annual amount: £9,614
Other State Pension rates
- Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)
- Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)
The new payment rates will start on April 6.
Pension Credit
Almost 1.4m elderly people throughout Great Britain, including over 125,000 residing in Scotland, are presently receiving the means-tested benefit which could deliver an average of £4,300 in assistance over the coming year.
Nevertheless, recent DWP statistics indicate that more than 700,000 qualifying pensioners remain without the benefit to which they’re entitled.
Certain elderly people believe that having savings or being homeowners would disqualify them from the means-tested benefit, which can additionally grant access to assistance with accommodation expenses, winter heating support and Council Tax.
An entitlement of merely £1 weekly is sufficient to access additional help. Pension Credit supplements weekly income to a guaranteed minimum threshold of £227.10 per week for individual pensioners or £346.60 for couples.
It’s a tax-free payment for those who:
- have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Elderly people, or their friends and relatives, can swiftly verify their eligibility and obtain an estimate of potential payments by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here. Alternatively, pensioners can ring the Pension Credit helpline directly to lodge a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert guidance and advice is also accessible from:
Pension Credit provides additional funds to assist with living expenses for those over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also unlock access to a variety of other benefits.
The benefit boosts income to a minimum of £227.10 per week for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples – more if an individual has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Pension Credit – common myths
“I have savings so I won’t qualify.”
- Savings over £10,000 are taken into account, but many people with modest savings still qualify.
“I own my home so I’m not eligible.”
- Home ownership does not automatically disqualify you.
“I have a small private pension so I’ll be refused.”
- Pension Credit tops up income — even small occupational pensions can still leave you eligible.
“The amount would be too small to bother.”
- Even a small award can unlock help with housing costs, council tax and energy bills.
“It’s too complicated to apply.”
Additional assistance if you receive Pension Credit
If you’re eligible for Pension Credit, you can also obtain 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
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, legislation was altered so that a ‘mixed age couple’ – a pair where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is below it – are deemed to be a ‘working age’ couple when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This implies they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age. Prior to this DWP alteration, a mixed age couple could have been eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one partner reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
- earnings, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.
All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There’s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:
- are deferring your State Pension
- own more than one property
- are self employed
- have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a claim
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
- 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.
Apply online
You can use the online service if:
- you have already claimed your State Pension
- 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 here to find out how much you could get.