Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
There are two different types of Pension Credit. Guarantee Credit is for those who have reached the minimum qualifying age. Savings Credit is for those aged 65 or over. Find out if you are entitled to Pension Credit and how and when to apply for this benefit.
If you are living in Great Britain and have reached the minimum qualifying age, you may be entitled to the Guarantee Credit. This guarantees a minimum income by topping up your weekly income to:
These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
The age from which you can get the Guarantee Credit – the qualifying age – is gradually increasing from 60 to 65 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.
The government has announced new proposals for increasing State Pension age. This would mean that from December 2018 the State Pension age for both men and women would start to increase to reach 66 by April 2020. Women’s State Pension age would increase more quickly to 65 between April 2016 and November 2018. Any change to the timetable needs the approval of Parliament. The government is also considering the timetable for future increases to the State Pension age from 66 to 68.
Changes 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:
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:
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:
You may still get the Savings Credit even if the money you have coming in is up to about:
These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
Use 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. Find out more about the Pension Credit estimate on the following page:
The quickest and simplest way to apply for Pension Credit is to 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 and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays.
When you phone, you need the following information:
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.
If you don’t speak English then an interpreter can help you apply. Call Freephone 0800 99 1234. An adviser and interpreter will call you back.
Lines are open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturday.
You can download, print and complete the application form and post free of charge to your pension centre. But don't forget it's quicker and more simple to apply for Pension Credit by telephone.
You can also download and complete an application form on your computer. You can then print it and post it free to your pension centre.
You can apply up to four months before the date from which you want to start getting Pension Credit. From 6 April 2010 the State Pension age for women has started to rise gradually from 60 to 65 in line with women’s State Pension age.
Use the State Pension age calculator to find out the date you can get Pension Credit from.
The government has announced new proposals for increasing State Pension age. This would mean that from December 2018 the State Pension age for both men and women would start to increase to reach 66 by April 2020. Women’s State Pension age would increase more quickly to 65 between April 2016 and November 2018. Any change to the timetable needs the approval of Parliament. The government is also considering the timetable for future increases to the State Pension age from 66 to 68.
The maximum period that your Pension Credit claim can be backdated is 3 months.
If you want Pension Credit to start from a past or future date, you need to tell The Pension Service when you apply.
Your entitlement to Pension Credit will be affected by how much income you have. Find out what income counts towards Pension Credit, how Pension Credit is paid and how it might affect your other benefits.
See examples of how Pension Credit is calculated depending on age and circumstances. These examples give a better understanding of how Pension Credit applies to a real-life situation.
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