Campaigns & issues

Tops up your weekly income

Almost half of all pensioners are entitled to Pension Credit. Yet about a third of those eligible (up to 1.8 million older people) are still not claiming it. If you’re one of them‚ you could be missing out on up to £1‚500 a year.

There are two parts of Pension Credit – you may be eligible to receive one or both of them. Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level set by the Government. Savings Credit provides up to an additional £20.40 for single people or £27.03 for couples‚ as a reward for having modest savings for your retirement.

Can I claim it?

• You need to be 60 or over for Guarantee Credit; 65 or over for Savings Credit.
• Generally‚ you will receive Guarantee Credit if your weekly income is less than £130.00 if you are single and £198.45 if you are a couple.
• For Savings Credit‚ you can have a higher weekly income – normally up to around £181 if you are single or £266 if you are a couple – and still receive some benefit.
• All these amounts may be higher if you are severely disabled‚ a carer‚ or are a home owner with a mortgage.
• There is no savings limit for Pension Credit but if you have over £6‚000 this will reduce the amount you get.
  

You can get a claim form by phoning the Pension Credit Line on 0800 99 12 34 or by visiting the Pension Service website.

Age Concern and Help the Aged can help you

Call us today:

• Age Concern National Information Line: 0800 00 99 66
• Help the Aged SeniorLine: 0808 800 6565

Age Concern National
Information Line
0800 00 99 66

Help the Aged SeniorLine
0808 800 6565