Changes to couples benefits
The way benefits are given to couples where there's an age gap between them has changed. Find out if this affects you...
Pension Credit is a benefit for people over State Pension age. It tops up your income if you're struggling to make ends meet. It comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
Pension Credit is extra money to help you cover your costs if you're over State Pension age and living on a low income. You might be able to get it even if you have other income, savings or assets.
Pension Credit comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. It's separate from your State Pension.
Pension Credit comes in two parts. You might be eligible for one or both parts.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level:
Savings Credit is extra money if you've got some savings or if your income is higher than the basic State Pension. It's available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You could get up to:
By claiming Pension Credit, you might unlock other benefits too, such as help with health and housing costs. We've outlined these below.
There are different eligibility requirements for each of the two parts of Pension Credit.
You might be eligible for Guarantee Credit if you've reached State Pension age (currently 66 for both men and women).
To find out when you'll reach State Pension age, you can use GOV.UK's State Pension calculator.
If you've reached State Pension age, you can claim Guarantee Credit if your weekly income is less than £182.60 if you’re single, or £278.70 if you’re a couple.
Even if your weekly income is higher than these thresholds, you could still claim Guarantee Credit if you meet one of the following criteria:
If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 – or if you're a couple and one of you did – you might be eligible to claim Savings Credit.
There isn’t a savings limit for Pension Credit. However, if you have over £10,000 in savings, this will affect how much you receive.
Do you know what benefits you are entitled to? Our Benefits Calculator can help you, quickly and easily, to find out what you could be claiming.
To claim Pension Credit, you can either:
It can be helpful to have the following details to hand before you get started:
If you need help at any stage, contact your local Age UK.
Claiming Pension Credit doesn't only give you a bit of extra cash – it could help you get other benefits, too.
There's nothing to lose by applying, but potentially a lot to gain – and even if you've previously been turned down, you can make a new claim each year.
Read or download our Pension Credit information guide
Read or download our Pension Credit factsheet
If you're a couple with an age gap, claiming Pension Credit might be slightly different for you.
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 125 local Age UKs.
The way benefits are given to couples where there's an age gap between them has changed. Find out if this affects you...
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, explains why the Government is wrong to change the pension credit rules
Age UK's Policy Manager Sally West says we should be doing to ensure older people claim cash that's rightfully theirs.
Cold Weather Payment is extra money for people receiving certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, when there's very...