Pension Credit - What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people on a low income who have reached the Pension Credit qualifying age.

Pension Credit has two parts – Guarantee Pension Credit and Savings Pension Credit. You may be able to get one or both parts depending on your circumstances.

• Guarantee Pension Credit tops up your weekly income if you have a low income.

• Savings Pension Credit is an extra payment to reward people who have prepared for their retirement by having some savings or income.

You can claim Pension Credit whether or not you are still working. You do not need to have paid any national insurance contributions.

If you're over state pension age and only receive Child Tax Credit, you will soon get a notice saying your tax credits will stop. You will need to apply for Pension Credit to keep receiving money. Make sure to apply by the deadline on the notice to get transitional protection. 

There are different rules for getting the Guarantee Pension Credit and the Savings Pension Credit.

• To claim Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be State Pension age.

• The Savings Pension Credit can be claimed by men and women aged 65 or over. You must also have reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, but see Gov.UK website page on Pension Credit for further information on whether couples can qualify.

You can work out the exact date of your State Pension age by using the State Pension age calculator on Gov.UK website.

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Age rules: The age rules are different for the two parts of Pension Credit, see ‘Can I get Pension Credit’ for further details. 

Type of benefit: Means-tested benefit .

Taxable: No

Administered by: The Pension Service