According to the most recent data available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), about 12.7 million seniors nationwide, including over a million retirees residing in Scotland, presently receive a regular financial income from the State Pension.
Those who have paid at least ten years' worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions and have achieved the UK Government's eligible retirement age—66 for men and women—are eligible for this payment.
Those over 80, however, who do not get a Basic State Pension or whose weekly income is less than £101.55, may be eligible for additional funding to assist with living expenses.
The 'Over 80 Pension' now pays £101.55 per week to older people who do not receive the Basic State Pension, or makes up the shortfall.
People over the age of 66 with a low income may also be eligible for Pension Credit, which offers an additional £3,900 per year on average.
Claiming the 'Over 80 Pension'
It is crucial to note that if you attained State Pension age on or after April 6, 2016, you are ineligible for the 'Over 80 Pension'; instead, you are eligible for the New State Pension.
According to the GOV.uk advice, you can claim the over 80 pension if all of the following conditions are met:
- You are 80 or older.
- You do not receive Basic State Pension, or your Basic State Pension is inferior to £101.55 per week.
- You lived in the UK for at least ten years out of twenty (this does not have to be in a row); this 20-year span must include the day before or after you turned 80.
- You were 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, the Isle of Man, or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or the date you lodged the claim for this pension.
If you live in or plan to move to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, visit GOV.UK to learn about pensions and benefits for UK nationals in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
Your eligibility for the over-80s pension is not determined by National Insurance contributions.
How to claim
You can receive a claim form from either:
- Your local Jobcentre Plus .
- The Pension Service.
- The earliest you can claim is three months before your 80th birthday.
You can request a claim form from the Pension Service by phoning 0800 731 7898. Click here for more information on GOV.UK.
Pension Credit
If you are over the State Pension age and have a low income, Pension Credit can help you with your living expenses. It can also grant access to a variety of other perks.
Nearly 1.4 million older individuals in Great Britain, including over 126,800 in Scotland, are presently receiving the means-tested benefit, which could give an additional £3,900 in support per year.
However, according to the latest DWP numbers, 880,000 eligible retirees are still not receiving the money to which they are entitled.
How much is Pension Credit worth?
Pension Credit is tax-free and increases monthly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 for single seniors and £332.95 for couples. If your income is higher, you may still be eligible if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings, or have housing expenses; learn more here.
What is income for Pension Credit?
Your revenue includes:
- State Pension.
- Other pensions.
- Earnings from employment and self-employment.
- Most social security benefits, for example Carer’s Allowance.
What does not qualify as income
Not all perks are treated as income. For instance, the following are not included:
- Adult Disability Payment.
- Attendance Allowance.
- Christmas Bonus.
- Child Benefit.
- Disability Living Allowance.
- Personal Independence Payment.
- social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance.
- Housing Benefit.
- Council Tax Reduction.
An award of just £1 per week is sufficient to access additional assistance, such as assistance with housing costs, heating bills, and Council Tax.
The Quickest Way to Check Eligibility for Pension Credit
Older persons, as well as friends and relatives, can quickly check their eligibility and estimate how much they might get by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, retirees can call the Pension Credit helpdesk at 0800 99 1234 to file a claim; lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday.
The DWP has also released a new video on YouTube that provides a comprehensive step-by-step guidance to utilizing the online calculator.
Mixed-age older Couple and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so that a'mixed age couple' - a relationship where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is not - is deemed a 'working age' couple when determining eligibility for means-tested benefits.
This implies they cannot collect Pension Credit or Pension Age Housing Benefit until they reach the State Pension age. Prior to this DWP change, a mixed-age couple could be eligible to receive the more lucrative State Pension age benefits if only one of them attained State Pension age.
How to Make a Claim
You can start your application up to four months prior to reaching the State Pension age. You can file a claim at any time after reaching the State Pension age, but it can only be backdated three months.
This means you might receive up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible at the time.
You'll need:
- Your National Insurance Number
- Information regarding your income, savings, and investments
- Your bank account information, whether you're applying by phone or post.
If you are backdating your claim, you will need information about your income, savings, and assets on the date you want it to begin.