http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/PensionCredit/DG_10018692Pension CreditThis is an income-related (means-tested) benefit for pensioners living in Great Britain. It is made up of two parts -
Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.Guarantee CreditThe Guarantee Credit works by topping up your weekly income to:
£137.35 if you are single
£209.70 if you have a partner
These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
Qualifying AgeThe age from which you can get the Guarantee Credit – the qualifying age – is gradually increasing in line with women's State Pension age. To find out the age when you may be able to apply for Pension Credit, you can use the State Pension age calculator:
http://pensions-service.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.aspChanges to the State Pension age are likely to affect the Pension Credit qualifying age.
While you must have reached the qualifying age, you can still claim if your partner is under the qualifying age. If you or your partner are both over the qualifying age either one of you can apply.
‘Partner’ is used to refer to: your husband, wife, civil partner or the person you live with as if they were your husband, wife or civil partner.
Age 65 or over - Savings Credit
If you are aged 65 or over and living in Great Britain you may be entitled to Savings Credit. You may get the Savings Credit on its own or with the Guarantee Credit. You may be entitled to Savings Credit if you: are aged 65 or over and have made some provision towards your retirement such as savings or a second pension.
If you have a partner, at least one of you must be 65 or over to get the Savings Credit.
The Savings Credit can be up to:
£20.52 a week if you are single
£27.09 a week if you have a partner
You may still get the Savings Credit even if the money you have coming in is up to about:
£188 a week if you are single
£277 a week if you have a partner
These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
Get a Pension Credit estimateUse the Pension Credit calculator to get a Pension Credit estimate. This online calculator is quick and easy to use and will tell you how much Pension Credit you might get.
http://pensions-service.direct.gov.uk/en/pension-credit-calculator/calculate.aspHow to apply for Pension Credit
You’ll receive a letter before you reach your State Pension age or Pension Credit qualifying age if you also receive a benefit from either: Jobcentre Plus, The Pension Service or the Disability and Carers Service.
The letter will tell you what you need to do next.
For anyone else the easiest way is to apply by phone. You can call The Pension Service on
0800 99 1234 or textphone 0800 169 0133.
Lines are open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
When you phone, you need the following information:
- your National Insurance number
- information about your savings, investments and income
- details of the account into which you would like any Pension Credit payments to be paid
An adviser will help you apply for Pension Credit and let you know what happens next.
The Pension Service can also help you apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit at the same time as your application for Pension Credit.
