A number of key DWP benefits end immediately when people reach State Pension age, currently set at 66 years old in the United Kingdom. This change affects eligibility for several working-age support schemes, yet many individuals are not fully informed about how their entitlements shift at this milestone. According to DevonLive, a growing number of pensioners are only discovering these adjustments after their income drops, often without prior warning.
While some benefits stop, others become available under different criteria. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides limited transitional guidance, and the resulting knowledge gap leaves many navigating the system alone.
Overnight Changes to Benefits Leave Many Unprepared
When someone reaches the State Pension age, five major working-age benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are automatically discontinued. These include Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, and all new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
These changes are often not well communicated.
We regularly see people missing out on thousands because they simply don’t realise what changes overnight at State Pension age – said Ed Gallois, Managing Director of Funeral Guide.
The system isn’t easy to navigate. You have to ask the right questions, and sadly, too many people only discover the changes when their income suddenly drops.
What Happens Instead – Benefits Available After 66
After turning 66, individuals may qualify for pension-age equivalents. For example, Universal Credit ends and is often replaced by Pension Credit, a means-tested benefit designed to top up income. This applies to single pensioners earning less than £218.15 per week and couples with a combined income under £332.95 per week.
New claims for Personal Independence Payment are no longer allowed once a person passes State Pension age, even if they develop a disability later. Instead, they must apply for Attendance Allowance, which provides up to £108.55 per week, depending on the level of care required.
Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance are also withdrawn at this point. This shift is consistent with broader labour trends, as official data shows that the employment rate drops by more than ten percentage points between ages 65 and 66. Income Support also comes to an end entirely at this milestone.
Pensioners may still qualify for other forms of help, such as Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, depending on their financial circumstances. However, individuals over State Pension age are no longer eligible for the New Style Bereavement Support Payment, though surviving partners might still receive part of their late partner’s State Pension.
Additional support includes free NHS prescriptions, eye tests, and reduced travel costs through schemes like the Senior Railcard, depending on eligibility and location.
Rising Costs and Ageing Population Increase Pressure on the System
According to projections from the UK government’s Third State Pension Age Review, the number of people aged 66 or older is expected to rise sharply—from 12.6 million in 2025 to 19.5 million by 2075, an increase of approximately 55% over five decades.
This rise coincides with longer life expectancy. A 66-year-old man in 2025 is projected to live an additional 19.2 years, while a 66-year-old woman is expected to live for another 21.8 years. In parallel, the cost of providing State Pensions has risen from around 3.5% of GDP in the early 2000s to about 5% today.
As a result, the government plans to raise the State Pension age to 67 between 2026 and 2028, followed by a further increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
Funeral Cost Support Still Exists – But Many Miss It
One underutilized benefit still offered by the DWP is the Funeral Expenses Payment, which is available to those on qualifying income-related benefits. It provides a grant of up to £2,000, covering essential funeral costs such as cremation or burial fees, transport, and other related services. A claim must be submitted within six months of the funeral, or beforehand if an invoice from the funeral provider is available.
This grant does not need to be repaid by the claimant, but it may be recovered from the deceased’s estate if they had sufficient assets to cover the cost.
According to Gallois, this support is often overlooked.
As living costs rise, knowing your rights is a lifeline, not a luxury. Even small top-ups or discounts can make the difference between just scraping by and having a little breathing space – he said.
Other Benefits Activated at State Pension Age
Although many DWP-administered benefits end at age 66, others begin automatically. Among these, Winter Fuel Payments offer up to £300 annually to help with energy costs during colder months. Pensioners may also qualify for Cold Weather Payments during periods of exceptionally low temperatures, depending on their circumstances and location.
In addition to energy-related support, pensioners in England receive free NHS prescriptions and free eye tests, which are not available to younger people without specific medical exemptions. The Senior Railcard also becomes available, providing significant savings on train fares for individuals over a certain age.
These benefits are valuable, but not always well known. Gallois remarked,
Covering day-to-day bills, planning for care needs, and even considering funeral costs, it can all feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to understand what support is available.
