You may be entitled to other financial help on top of your State Pension (Image: Getty)
Retirees in the UK could get more financial support than their monthly State Pension. You may not realise you could also qualify for extra benefits, discounts, and payments.
The most recent figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal there are currently 13.2 million people throughout Great Britain entitled to State Pension payments worth up to £241.30 per week. Basic and New State Pensions are contributory benefits providing vital financial assistance to those who have contributed at least 10 years of National Insurance Contributions.
Yet, as reported by the Daily Record, only 4.1m of the total number are collecting the full amount of the New State Pension (those who retired after April 2016). Around 8.8m elderly individuals are on the Basic State Pension (retired prior to 2016) and collecting payments worth up to £184.90 weekly, though this may be supplemented by Additional State Pension payments for men born before 1951 and women before April 1953.
Numerous pensioners may be unaware of a dozen methods they could potentially use to increase their existing income. This can be achieved through age-related benefits administered by the DWP or Social Security Scotland, securing reductions on yearly Council Tax bills and obtaining additional assistance with winter heating expenses.
To simplify matters for people seeking to understand and access these benefits, discounts or reductions, the MoneyHelper website has put together a detailed list alongside quick eligibility checks to guarantee older people are receiving vital support during their later years. It is also worth highlighting that specialist charities for older people such as Independent Age and Age UK provide free, confidential and impartial guidance on securing extra financial assistance.
There are currently 13.2 million people throughout Great Britain entitled to State Pension payments (Image: Getty)
If you have an elderly relative or acquaintance who lacks internet access, or is unfamiliar with using a computer, lend them a hand to ensure they are not losing out on additional financial support.
The simplest method to verify eligibility for any benefit, discount or reduction is to utilise an online benefits calculator – discover more about these on the Age UK website.
Benefits for people over State Pension age
Benefits and discounts available in retirement include:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Help with Council Tax
- Help with heating costs – eligibility for some may require a relevant qualifying means-tested benefit
- Health benefits – Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment
- Travel and TV benefits
- Benefits for war widows and widowers
State Pension
The State Pension gives you a regular taxable income for the rest of your life as soon as you reach State Pension age and make a claim for it. Some people choose to defer this while they continue to work.
It’s not means-tested, but the amount you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions or credits you’ve built up. You need at least 10 years’ for any State Pension payment and around 35 for the maximum amount – this may be more for people who were ‘contracted out’, find out more here.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit currently gives 1.4m people across the UK 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.
Try the Pension Credit Calculator on GOV.UK for yourself or a family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to. You can also call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234.
Help with Council Tax
Whether you own your home or rent, you could be eligible for support from your local authority to help you pay your Council Tax. Contact your local council to ask about support with Council Tax.
Insulation and heating schemes
There are a number of schemes that install insulation and heating improvements to make your home more energy efficient. You’re likely to be eligible if your home is poorly insulated or doesn’t have a working central heating system, and if you receive any of a range of income-related benefits including Pension Credit.
Disability and carer benefits
A number of benefits are available to people who have disabilities, long-term health conditions or specific care needs.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – you can only claim this if you are under State Pension age and if you reached State Pension age while claiming PIP this will continue until the next award review
- Adult Disability Payment – this has replaced PIP for people living in Scotland
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – you will need to have been already claiming this before you reached State Pension age
- Attendance Allowance – if you’re over State Pension age and have not claimed DLA or PIP
- Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) – a new benefit that has replaced Attendance Allowance in Scotland
Travel concessions
If you are over 60 or disabled, find out about travel concessions on GOV.UK or the Transport Scotland website here.
Free passport
If you were born on or before September 2, 1929, and are a British national, you could be eligible for a free passport. Find out more and how to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Free / Discounted TV Licence
You now have to pay for your TV licence unless you are getting Pension Credit. People over State Pension age may be able to get the TV Licence for half price if they are registered as severely sight-impaired or blind.
Check out the MoneyHelper Advice Service TV licence guide here to find out if you’re eligible.
Benefits for war widows and widowers
If your husband, wife or civil partner died or were injured or became ill as a result of their service in Her Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces, or during a time of war before April 6, 2005, you might be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
If they died or sustained an injury or illness due to serving in a conflict after April 6, 2005, you might be entitled to compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Find out more about War widows and widowers’ pensions and compensation on the GOV.UK website here.
Medical costs for war pensioners
If you need medical treatment because you were disabled while serving in the Armed Forces, you could get help towards your medical costs for your accepted disability.
War Disablement Pension
If you were injured or disabled while serving in the Armed Forces before April 6, 2005, you can get extra help towards your pension. Find out more about War Disablement Pension on the GOV.UK website here .