Latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal the National Pension currently provides an average income for 13.2 million adults across the country.
This payment is available to those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is currently 66 for men and women, and have made at least 10 years of National Insurance (NI) payments. However, people over the age of 80 who do not have a Basic State Pension or who earn less than £105.70 a week may be entitled to more money to help them with their daily living costs.
The ‘Over 80 Pension’ currently pays older people £105.70 a week if they do not receive the Basic State Pension, or covers the shortfall.
People over 80 with a low income can also qualify for Pension Credit, which can provide more than £4,300 in additional financial support each year, reports the Daily Record.
Claiming ‘Over 80 Pension’
It is important to understand that 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 can get the New State Pension instead.
Guidance on GOV.uk indicates that you can claim a pension over 80 if all of the following apply:
- You are 80 years old or older
- You do not receive Basic State Pension or your Basic State Pension is less than £105.70 a week
- You lived in the UK for at least 10 out of 20 years (this does not have to be 10 years in a row) – this 20 year period must include the day before you turn 80 or any day after.
- You were ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, Isle of Man or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or on the date you applied for this pension, if later
If you live in or move to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, information about pensions and benefits for UK citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland is available on GOV.UK here. Eligibility for the over-80 pension is not dependent on your National Insurance contribution record.
How to claim
You can find a claim form at either:
Applications can be submitted up to three months before your 80th birthday. Request a claim form from the Pensions Service by calling 0800 731 7898. Full details are available on GOV.UK here.
State Pension rates for 2026/27
New State full pension
- Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)
- Average weekly earnings: £965.20
- Annual income: £12,547
Full State Pension
- Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)
- Average weekly earnings: £739.60
- Annual income: £9,614
Other State Pension payments
- Class B (low) Basic National Pension – spouse or domestic partner insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)
- Class C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)
The new rates will start on April 6.
Pension Credit
Around 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, currently receive means-tested benefits which could provide up to £4,300 in relief next year.
However, the latest DWP figures show that more than 700,000 eligible pensioners are missing out on the benefits they are entitled to.
Some older people believe that saving money or owning a home can prevent them from getting means-tested benefits, which can give them access to help with housing costs, winter heating support and Council Tax.
Just £1 a week is enough to get extra help. Pension Credit supplements your weekly income up to a guaranteed limit of £227.10 a week for pensioners or £346.60 for couples.
It’s tax free for those who:
- have reached the age of Pension Credit qualifying, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
A quick way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or their friends and relatives, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of potential payments by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here. Alternatively, pensioners can call the Pension Credit helpline directly to lodge a claim on 0800 99 1234 – the lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Guidance and expert advice is also available at:
Pension Credit provides extra money to help with living costs for those over State Pension age and those on low incomes. It can also open the door to various other benefits.
The benefits increase income to a minimum of £227.10 a week for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples – more if the person has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Pension Credit – common myths
I have savings so I won’t qualify.
- Savings of more than £10,000 are considered, but many people with lower incomes still qualify.
I have my own house so I don’t qualify.
- Owning a home does not disqualify you.
“I have a small private pension so I will be denied.”
- Pension Credit increases income – even a small occupational pension can still leave you eligible.
The amount may be too small to bother.
- Even a small award can unlock help with housing costs, council tax and energy bills.
It is very difficult to use.
More help if you get Pension Credit
If you are eligible for Pension Credit, you may also get other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Subsidy for Mortgage Interest if you own a property you live in
- Council Tax Discount
- Free TV license if you are 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs to see hospital
- Help with your heating costs with the Warm Home Discount Scheme
- A discount on Royal Mail’s courier service if you’re moving
Older couples who have joined Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law was changed so that ‘mixed-age couples’ – couples where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under – are considered to be of ‘working age’ when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means that they will not be able to claim Pension Credit or Age Pension Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age. Before this DWP change, mixed-age couples would have been entitled to claim more State Pension Benefits when 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:
- wages, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
You will need the same information for your partner if you have them. You will be presented with a series of multiple-choice questions.
This includes:
- Your birthday
- Your state of residence
- Where you live in the UK
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which are the benefits you are getting now
- How much you get each week for any benefits you receive
- Whether someone is paid Career’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from the pension – State Pension, private and occupational pension
- Any income from work
- Savings, investments or bonds you own
Once you’ve answered these questions, a summary screen displays your answers, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit Calculator then shows how much benefit you can get each week.
All you need 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 is also an option to print the answers you provide using the scanner tool to help you complete the application form quickly without having to search for the same information again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or a family member to make sure you get all the financial support you’re entitled to.
Who can’t use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:
- they reduce your State Pension
- to have more than one property
- they are independent
- they have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) that are not housing reimbursement or rent covered by Housing Benefit.
How to apply
You can start your claim 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 from your first payment if you were eligible at the time.
You will need:
- your National Insurance number
- information about your income, savings and investments
- Your bank account details, if you apply by phone or post
If you are delaying your claim, you will need details of your income, savings and investments at the date you want your claim to start.
Apply online
You can use the online service if:
- you are already claiming your State Pension
- no children or young people are included in your claim
To check your eligibility, call 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.
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