Enter your details below to get an estimate of your 2025/26 Pension Credit. Both Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit are included where applicable.
Your Estimated Pension Credit
Based on 2025/26 rates. This is an estimate only — actual amounts depend on full DWP assessment.
£0.00
Weekly Pension Credit
£0
Annual Pension Credit
£0.00
Guarantee Credit
£0.00
Savings Credit
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people in Great Britain who are over State Pension Age and on a low income. It is one of the most valuable benefits available to older people — yet it is estimated that only 60–65% of eligible people actually claim it.
There are two parts to Pension Credit:
Guarantee Credit — tops up your weekly income to a minimum level (£218.15/week single, £332.95/week couple in 2025/26).
Savings Credit — an extra payment for people who reached State Pension Age before 6 April 2016 and have some savings or income above the basic State Pension.
You could qualify for Guarantee Credit, Savings Credit, or both. Even a small Pension Credit award is extremely valuable because it acts as a gateway benefit — unlocking a range of other support.
Pension Credit is a Gateway Benefit — It Unlocks:
Full Council Tax Reduction (potentially 100% of your council tax)
Housing Benefit if you rent your home
Free NHS dental treatment and free sight tests
Free TV licence if you or your partner are 75 or over
Cold Weather Payment (£25 per qualifying cold week, Nov–March)
Warm Home Discount (£150 off your electricity bill)
Winter Fuel Payment (if receiving Pension Credit from winter 2024/25)
Help with NHS costs (prescriptions, wigs, fabric supports, travel to hospital)
2025/26 Pension Credit Rates
Guarantee Credit Thresholds
Single person: £218.15 per week
Couple: £332.95 per week
Your weekly income (including assessed savings income) is topped up to these levels.
Savings Credit (pre-April 2016)
Maximum single: £17.01 per week
Maximum couple: £19.04 per week
Only available if you reached State Pension Age before 6 April 2016.
Severe Disability Premium
Single (or one partner qualifies): £81.50 per week added to threshold
Both partners qualify: £163.00 per week added to threshold
Capital/Savings Rules
If you have savings or capital above £10,000, the DWP assumes this generates £1 per week income for every £500 (or part of £500) above £10,000. For example, £12,000 savings = £4/week assumed income added to your actual income.
Who is Eligible for Pension Credit?
To be eligible for Pension Credit you must:
Be at or above State Pension Age — this is age 67 as of October 2024 for both men and women
Live in England, Scotland or Wales (separate rules apply in Northern Ireland)
Have a low income below the Guarantee Credit threshold
Mixed-Age Couples (since May 2019): If you are in a couple and the younger partner is below State Pension Age, you cannot claim Pension Credit. You would need to claim Universal Credit instead. This changed on 15 May 2019.
What Counts as Income?
State Pension (full new State Pension is £221.20/week for 2025/26)
Occupational and private pensions
Most other income (earnings from part-time work, rental income, etc.)
Notional income from capital above £10,000
What Does NOT Count as Income?
Attendance Allowance
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component
Disability Living Allowance (care component)
The first £10,000 of your savings
How to Claim Pension Credit
Claiming Pension Credit is straightforward. You can claim up to 3 months before you reach State Pension Age and receive backdated payments from the date you became eligible.
Phone: Call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (free, Monday–Friday 8am–6pm). A paper form will be sent to you after your call.
Post: Request a paper form by calling the helpline
Help: Citizens Advice, Age UK, or a carer/relative can assist you
Backdating: Pension Credit can only be backdated by a maximum of 3 months from the date you claim. Do not delay — every week without a claim is potentially £218+ in lost support.
When you call, have ready: your National Insurance number, bank account details, information about your income, savings and investments, and details of your housing costs.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Single Pensioner (State Pension only)
Margaret is 71 and receives the full new State Pension of £221.20/week. She has £8,000 in savings and no other income.
Her income (£221.20) exceeds the Guarantee Credit threshold (£218.15)
No Guarantee Credit payable
She reached State Pension Age before April 2016 — Savings Credit calculation may apply
The Guarantee Credit threshold is £218.15 per week for single claimants and £332.95 per week for couples in 2025/26. If your weekly income falls below these amounts, Pension Credit tops it up to reach the threshold. Rates are usually uprated each April in line with inflation.
Can I claim Pension Credit if I have savings or own my home?
Yes — owning your home does not affect Pension Credit eligibility. Savings below £10,000 are also completely ignored. Only savings above £10,000 create a notional income (£1/week per £500 above £10k) which is added to your actual income. There is no upper savings limit that automatically disqualifies you.
Does Pension Credit affect my State Pension?
No. Pension Credit is a separate top-up benefit and does not reduce or affect your State Pension in any way. Your State Pension is counted as income when assessing your Pension Credit entitlement, but the two payments are entirely separate.
What happens if my income changes after I start receiving Pension Credit?
You must report any changes in your income, savings, or circumstances to the Pension Service. Changes might increase or decrease your award. You can report changes by calling 0800 99 1234. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you may have to repay.
Can I get Pension Credit if I live with a carer?
Having a carer living with you does not affect your Pension Credit. However, if you receive certain disability benefits such as Attendance Allowance, this may mean you qualify for an additional Severe Disability Premium on top of your standard Pension Credit, potentially increasing your entitlement significantly.
How long does a Pension Credit claim take to process?
DWP aims to process Pension Credit claims within 50 working days. In practice, straightforward cases are often resolved faster. While waiting, you may be entitled to have your claim backdated by up to 3 months, so the delay will not mean you miss out on money you were owed from the date you first qualified.
Is Pension Credit taxable income?
No. Pension Credit is not taxable. You do not need to declare it on a tax return and it will not affect your income tax bill. This is another reason it is often more beneficial than it first appears — the full amount you receive adds to your disposable income without any tax deduction.
MB
Mustafa Bilgic
Financial Content Writer | Benefits & Pensions Specialist
Updated: 20 February 2026 | Published: 1 January 2025