Income, benefits and Pension Credit
Your income may affect how much Pension Credit you can get. Find out how your income may affect Pension Credit and how you can learn if you are missing out on benefits.
Income counted towards Pension Credit
The amount of Pension Credit you get depends on your weekly income and how much you have saved or invested. If you have a partner, you and your partner’s income and capital will be added together when calculating your Pension Credit.
The term ‘partner’ refers to your husband, wife or civil partner, or the person you live with as if they were your husband, wife or civil partner.
Pension Credit tops up:
- your weekly income to £177.10 if you’re single
- your joint weekly income to £270.30 if you have a partner
If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
The following types of income are taken into account when calculating your Pension Credit:
- State Pension
- occupational (also known as workplace) and private pensions
- most social security benefits for example Carer's Allowance
- savings, investments over £10,000 - for these £1 is counted for every £500 or part £500
- earnings
Private or workplace pension
If you're entitled to a private or workplace pension, the amount you'd expect to get is calculated as income from the date you were able to get it, if you had claimed it.
Deferring your State Pension
You won't get the benefit of deferring your State Pension if you or your partner are on Pension Credit; for example, you won't build up extra State Pension or a lump sum for deferring your State Pension. When working out if you can get Pension Credit, the income you'd get from your State Pension is included whether you're claiming it or not.
Self-assessment taxpayers
If you pay tax by self-assessment and claim Pension Credit, you must tell the Northern Ireland Pension Centre how much income tax you expect to pay for the current tax year.
Find out more about income tax and tax codes,
Income not counted towards Pension Credit
Income that is not counted towards Pension Credit includes:
- Attendance Allowance
- Christmas Bonus
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Housing Benefit
Further information is available at the links below, about the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Christmas Bonus
- Disability Living Allowance
- Housing Benefit and Rate Relief for homeowners
- Personal Independence Payment
You can still get Pension Credit if you are living with your family. The Northern Ireland Pension Centre looks at your income, not theirs. You can still get Pension Credit if you own your own home: the home you live in does not count as ‘capital’.
If your circumstances change
If your circumstances change, for example your capital goes up or down, you should contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre. They can look at your claim again to make sure you are getting the right amount of Pension Credit.
If you disagree with a decision
If you are refused Pension Credit or think it has been calculated wrongly, ask the Northern Ireland Pension Centre to look at the decision again. If you are still unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.
Unclaimed benefits
If you think you're missing out on benefits, contact the 'Make the call' phone line and a benefits adviser will provide a full assessment of your entitlement. Go to the link below for contact details:
Help with claiming benefits
Some people need help with claiming benefits because they can’t manage their own affairs. This could be because they’re mentally incapable or are severely disabled. If so, another person - called an appointee - can be given the legal right to act for them.
Find out about becoming an appointee: