Approximately 12.7 million individuals in the United Kingdom are currently receiving State Pension, indicating a significant reliance on this fundamental form of assistance.
As reported by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the New State Pension, applicable to claimants post April 6, 2016, amounts to a maximum of £221.20 per week.
For recipients of the Basic State Pension, the earlier iteration, the weekly amount is £169.50, contingent upon classification under Category A or B.
The amount you receive is contingent upon the accumulation of National Insurance years prior to reaching the age of 66. A minimum of 10 years is required to be eligible for any financial benefits. Therefore, if you are approaching the age of 66, it is imperative to promptly assess your entitlements.
Your State Pension age also serves as your Pension Credit qualifying age, yet there is a particular stipulation for men born before December 6, 1953. Should you seek information on when you are eligible to start receiving benefits, the 'Check your State Pension age' page on the GOV.UK website provides comprehensive guidance.
Upon attaining State Pension age or Pension Credit age, certain benefits become inapplicable. According to Turn2us, specific benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions are no longer attainable.
Here is an overview of the benefits that will continue and those that will cease upon reaching State Pension age.
List of Benefits Pensioners can no Longer Claim
Pension Credit Age
Upon reaching this age, it is time to bid farewell to:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
Turn2us adds a little twist: if one member of a living together couple has reached retirement age while the other has not, the situation becomes more complex. It is advisable to use the Turn2us benefit calculator to ascertain your eligibility or consult with a benefits advisor.
State Pension Age
After Hitting the State Pension age and clocking in, there are certain adjustments to the eligibility criteria. Specifically, you forfeit the ability to claim:
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Assuming one is considering the entitlements of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it is important to note the following conditions. After reaching State Pension age, individuals are unable to initiate a new claim for these benefits.
However, if they were already recipients, it is possible to renew the benefits, provided the same health conditions persist and the previous claim lapsed less than a year before attaining pension age.
Notably, individuals who were DLA claimants prior to April 8, 1948, are exempt from transitioning to PIP. Conversely, those born after this date will undergo a mandatory transition.
Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance are also discontinued for individuals once they reach State Pension age.
Benefits Still Available Post-Retirement Age
Not all benefits will cease to exist. Certain benefits will remain valid even after you have reached retirement age:
- Child Benefit (delivered by HMRC)
- Carer’s Allowance – though the amount you get may be affected by your State Pension income
- Guardian’s Allowance
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Certain benefits are subject to income thresholds or other specific conditions; nevertheless, you are still eligible to apply for them:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Working Tax Credit (HMRC) – new claims are not allowed, but you can continue to benefit from them if you already do
- Child Tax Credit (HMRC) – same as Working Tax Credit, no new claims but ongoing support if already claimed.
- Help with Health Costs
- Cold Weather Payment – now replaced by the £55.05 Winter Heating Payment in Scotland
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Winter Fuel Payment