The Over 80 Pension

The Over 80 Pension is a State Pension for people aged 80 or over who have little or no State Pension. Unlike other State Pensions, it's not based on National Insurance contributions.

Who is eligible?

You can claim if all the following apply to you:

• you are aged 80 or over
• you don't get basic State Pension, or your basic State Pension is less than £61.20 a week
• you live in the UK and have done so for 10 years or more in any continuous period of 20 years which included the day before your 80th birthday or any day after it

How much is it?

• £61.20 a week in 2011-2012 if you don't get basic State Pension
• if you're on a reduced basic State Pension - you'll get the difference between this reduced amount and £61.20 a week in 2011-2012

How it's paid

'Direct Payment' into an account is the Social Security Agency’s normal way of paying pensions and benefits. It is a safe, convenient and efficient method of payment

• How benefits and pensions are paid (money, tax and benefits section)
• The difference between Direct Payment and 'direct payments' (money, tax and benefits section)

Effect on other benefits

The Over 80 Pension, as with all pensions, counts as taxable income, so it may affect other income-related benefits you're getting.

You must include the Over 80 Pension as income if you're claiming other benefits.

How to claim

Ask The Pension Service or your local Social Security / Jobs and Benefits office to send you a claim form if you haven't got one within three months of your 80th birthday (and you don't already get a State Pension) or you can apply online

• Contact information for Pension Service (contacts section)
• Contact your local Social Security / Jobs and Benefits office (contacts section)
• Apply for the Over 80 Pension online (do it online section)

What to do if your circumstances change

If your circumstances change it could affect whether or not you're eligible for the Over 80 Pension.

It's important that you contact the office that deals with your payments if:

• you go into (or leave) hospital or a health authority funded care home
• go abroad to live or visit
• Pensions, benefits and tax when retiring abroad

Further information

If you have more questions about the Over 80 Pension, contact the Pension Service.

• Contact information for Pension Service (contacts section)

More useful links

• Benefits when you retire
• Attendance Allowance (people with disabilities section)
• Meals at home services (leisure, home and community section)
• Giving money to your children and grandchildren