Benefits & Support
Pension Credit UK — Complete Guide 2026
Everything about Pension Credit including Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. How much you could get, how to claim, and the extra benefits it unlocks like Winter Fuel Payment.
Pension Credit is a weekly benefit for people over State Pension age on low income. It’s hugely underclaimed — around 850,000 eligible people don’t claim it.
What is Pension Credit?
Two Parts
| Part |
What It Does |
| Guarantee Credit |
Tops up income to minimum level |
| Savings Credit |
Rewards those who saved for retirement |
Who Can Claim
| Requirement |
Details |
| Age |
State Pension age or over |
| Residency |
Live in UK |
| Income |
Below Pension Credit limits |
| Couples |
Both assessed together |
Current Rates (2026/27)
| Status |
Weekly Minimum Income |
| Single |
£218.15 |
| Couple |
£332.95 |
If your income is below these amounts, Guarantee Credit tops it up.
Guarantee Credit
How It Works
| Your Situation |
What Happens |
| Income below minimum |
Topped up to minimum |
| No other income |
Get full £218.15/£332.95 |
| State Pension only |
Get difference as Pension Credit |
| Other income |
Reduces Pension Credit pound for pound |
Example Calculations
| Example |
Calculation |
| Single, State Pension £169.50 |
£218.15 - £169.50 = £48.65/week Pension Credit |
| Couple, one pension £169.50 |
£332.95 - £169.50 = £163.45/week Pension Credit |
| Single, pension + £30 other |
£218.15 - £199.50 = £18.65/week |
Additional Amounts
| Circumstance |
Extra Weekly Amount |
| Severe disability |
£81.50 |
| Carer |
£45.60 |
| Disability (couple, both qualify) |
£163.00 |
| Housing costs |
Mortgage interest, service charges |
Savings Credit
What It Is
| Feature |
Details |
| Purpose |
Reward for having saved for retirement |
| Who gets it |
Those with income over basic State Pension from savings/pension |
| Maximum |
£17.01/week (single) or £19.04/week (couple) |
| Phasing out |
Gradually reducing for higher incomes |
Important Limitation
| Who Cannot Get Savings Credit |
Details |
| Reached State Pension age after 6 April 2016 |
New State Pension rules |
| Younger partner if couple |
Uses younger person’s pension age |
How It’s Calculated
| Factor |
Impact |
| Qualifying income |
Must be above threshold |
| Income threshold |
£189.80 (single) / £301.22 (couple) |
| Above threshold |
60p for each £1 up to maximum |
| Above Guarantee Credit level |
Reduces by 40p per £1 |
How Savings Affect Your Claim
Capital Rules
| Savings Amount |
Treatment |
| Under £10,000 |
Ignored |
| £10,000 - £16,000 |
£1/week assumed for every £500 |
| Over £16,000 |
May still qualify if costs high |
What Counts as Savings
| Counted |
Not Counted |
| Bank accounts |
Your home |
| Building society |
Personal possessions |
| ISAs |
Business assets (if trading) |
| NS&I |
One vehicle |
| Shares |
Surrender value of life insurance |
| Investment property |
|
Examples
| Savings |
Impact on Claim |
| £8,000 |
No effect |
| £12,000 |
£4/week assumed income |
| £15,000 |
£10/week assumed income |
| £18,000 |
May still qualify — apply anyway |
What Pension Credit Unlocks
Since 2024 Changes — Crucial Benefits
| Benefit |
What You Get |
| Winter Fuel Payment |
£200 (under 80) or £300 (80+) |
| Free TV licence |
If 75 or over |
| Cold Weather Payment |
£25 per cold week |
| Warm Home Discount |
£150 off electricity |
Maximum Help With Housing
| Benefit |
What You Get |
| Housing Benefit |
Maximum rate |
| Council Tax Reduction |
Usually 100% reduction |
| Mortgage interest |
Help with interest payments |
NHS Benefits
| Benefit |
Details |
| Free NHS dental |
All treatments |
| Free sight tests |
Plus voucher for glasses |
| Free prescriptions |
Already free if 60+ |
| Wigs and fabric supports |
If needed |
| Travel to hospital |
Fares reimbursed |
Other Passported Benefits
| Benefit |
Details |
| Funeral Expenses Payment |
If arranging funeral |
| Sure Start Maternity Grant |
For grandchildren you’re caring for |
| Social tariffs |
Cheaper broadband from some providers |
How to Claim
Before You Apply
| Step |
Action |
| Check eligibility |
Use gov.uk calculator |
| Gather information |
Income, savings, housing costs |
| Find documents |
NI number, bank statements |
Ways to Claim
| Method |
Details |
| Phone |
0800 99 1234 (free, 8am-6pm Mon-Fri) |
| Online |
gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim |
| Post |
Request form by phone |
| Information |
Why |
| National Insurance number |
Identity |
| Bank details |
Payment |
| Income details |
State Pension, private pension, other |
| Savings |
All accounts |
| Housing costs |
Rent, mortgage interest, service charges |
| Partner’s details |
If applicable |
Claiming by Phone
| What to Expect |
Details |
| Call 0800 99 1234 |
Free call |
| Duration |
20-40 minutes |
| Helpful |
Advisor guides you through |
| Recommended |
Often easiest method |
Backdating
Important Rule
| Feature |
Details |
| How far back |
Up to 3 months |
| Automatic |
Request during claim |
| No extra form |
Just ask |
| Lump sum |
Backdated amount paid in one go |
Example
| Scenario |
Outcome |
| Entitled for 5 years |
Only get 3 months back |
| Claim in March for Feb start |
Get Feb + March if eligible both |
| Should have claimed earlier |
Can only go back 3 months |
Mixed-Age Couples
Rules
| Situation |
What Happens |
| One partner pension age, one under |
Usually must claim Universal Credit |
| Exception |
Already on Pension Credit/Housing Benefit before May 2019 |
| When younger partner reaches pension age |
Can switch to Pension Credit |
Pension Credit vs Universal Credit
| Pension Credit |
Universal Credit |
| Generally more generous |
More conditions |
| No work requirements |
Work expectations possible |
| More passported benefits |
Fewer extras |
| If you can claim either, PC usually better |
|
Being Assessed
How Income is Calculated
| Income Type |
How Counted |
| State Pension |
In full |
| Private/workplace pension |
In full |
| Other benefits |
Most counted |
| Earnings |
Assessed with disregards |
| Tariff income from savings |
£1 per £500 over £10,000 |
What’s Not Counted
| Income Type |
Treatment |
| Attendance Allowance |
Ignored |
| DLA/PIP |
Ignored |
| Housing Benefit |
Ignored |
| Council Tax Reduction |
Ignored |
Housing Costs Help
| Cost |
Coverage |
| Mortgage interest |
Help available (Support for Mortgage Interest) |
| Ground rent |
Included |
| Service charges |
Eligible ones included |
| Rent |
Claimed through Housing Benefit |
If Your Claim is Refused
What to Do
| Step |
Action |
| Get reasons |
Ask for written explanation |
| Check figures |
They may have made an error |
| Mandatory reconsideration |
Ask them to look again |
| Appeal |
To tribunal if still disagree |
Common Reasons for Refusal
| Reason |
Solution |
| Income too high |
Check they’ve included all deductions |
| Savings over limit |
Check what they’ve counted |
| Missing information |
Provide what’s needed |
| Partner’s income |
May need to reassess |
Changes to Report
Tell Pension Service About
| Change |
Why |
| Income change |
Affects entitlement |
| Moving house |
Different housing costs |
| Savings change |
Above/below thresholds |
| Partner moves in/out |
Reassessed as single/couple |
| Someone dies |
Claim adjusted |
| Going into care |
Rules change |
How to Report
| Method |
Contact |
| Phone |
0800 731 7898 |
| Online |
Limited options |
| Post |
Write to Pension Service |
Why You Should Claim
Even If You’re Not Sure
| Reason |
Details |
| It’s underclaimed |
£2bn goes unclaimed yearly |
| Gateway benefit |
Unlocks many other benefits |
| Winter Fuel Payment |
Only way to get it now (for most) |
| May qualify despite savings |
Rules more generous than you think |
| Help available |
Advisors can help you claim |
Average Unclaimed Amounts
| Type |
Annual Amount |
| Guarantee Credit |
£3,500 per year |
| Plus passported benefits |
Could be £1,000+ more |
| Housing Benefit |
Varies by area |
| Council Tax Reduction |
£1,000+ per year |
Getting Help
Free Support
| Organisation |
Service |
| Age UK |
0800 678 1602 — benefits advice |
| Citizens Advice |
Help with claims |
| Independent Age |
0800 319 6789 — helpline |
| Council welfare rights |
Local service |
Benefit Calculators
| Calculator |
Details |
| Gov.uk Pension Credit calculator |
Official tool |
| Turn2us |
Independent check |
| Entitledto |
Detailed calculation |
| Age UK benefits calculator |
Older people focused |
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