Pension Credit - introduction
Pension Credit is an income related benefit for pensioners. 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.
Guarantee Credit
If you are living in Northern Ireland 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:
- £142.70 if you are single
- £217.90 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 Age
The age from which you can get the Guarantee Credit – the qualifying age – is gradually going up to 66 in line with the increase in State Pension age for women, and the further increase to 66 for men and women. To find out the age when you may be able to apply for Pension Credit, you can use the State Pension age calculator.
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:
- your husband
- your wife
- your civil partner
- the person you live with as if they were your husband, wife or civil partner
Changes to State Pension age
The State Pension age is increasing. To find out more see ‘Calculating your State Pension age’.
Age 65 or over - Savings Credit
If you are aged 65 or over and living in Northern Ireland 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
- 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:
- £18.54 a week if you are single
- £23.73 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:
- £189 a week if you are single
- £277 a week if you have a partner
These amounts may be more if you have a disability, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
Get a Pension Credit estimate
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:
How 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:
- Social Security Office
- The Pension Service
- The Disability and Careers 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 0808 100 6165 or textphone 0808 100 1165. Lines are open 9.00 am to 5.00 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.
Apply for Pension Credit in writing
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.
When to apply for Pension Credit
You can apply up to four months before the date from which you want to start getting Pension Credit.
The Pension Credit qualifying age is gradually increasingin line with the increase in women’s State Pension age. You can use the State Pension age calculator to find out the date you can get Pension Credit from.
The maximum period that your Pension Credit claim can be backdated is three months.
If you want Pension Credit to start from a past or future date, you need to tell The Pension Service when you apply.
Changes to State Pension age
The State Pension age is increasing. To find out more see ‘Calculating your State Pension age’.
Income, benefits and Pension Credit
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 other benefits.
Examples of Pension Credit
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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