Pension Credit Calculator

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people of pension age on low incomes. It has two parts: Guarantee Credit (tops up weekly income to a minimum) and Savings Credit (for those who saved towards retirement).

Guarantee Credit tops up weekly income to £218.15 for a single person and £332.95 for a couple. You automatically get Guarantee Credit if your income is below this.

You must be pension credit qualifying age (currently 66) and living in Great Britain. If you have a partner, at least one of you must have reached pension credit qualifying age.

Approximately 800,000-1,000,000 eligible pensioners do not claim Pension Credit, missing out on an average of £3,900/year. It is the most underclaimed benefit in the UK.

Claiming Pension Credit can unlock: Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction (often 100%), free NHS prescriptions/dental/eye tests, free TV licence (75+), Cold Weather Payments, Warm Home Discount.

Savings Credit rewards pensioners who made provision for retirement. It is only available to those who reached pension age before 6 April 2016. Maximum is £17.01/week (single) or £19.04/week (couple).

Yes. Savings above £10,000 are treated as providing £1/week income per £500 (tariff income). Having over £10,000 does not disqualify you but reduces the Guarantee Credit received.

Call the Pension Credit claim line: 0800 99 1234 (Monday-Friday 8am-6pm). You can also apply online at GOV.UK or by post. The DWP can backdate claims up to 3 months.

Yes. Working part-time does not disqualify you from Pension Credit. Earnings are counted as income and reduce Guarantee Credit, but you may still receive partial Pension Credit.

State Pension is a contributory benefit based on National Insurance record. Pension Credit is means-tested and tops up low incomes to a minimum level regardless of NI contributions.

No. Pension Credit is tax-free.

Pension Credit is paid directly into a bank account, every 4 weeks. The first payment may cover an initial period from the date of claim.