Pension Credit

Pension Credit: help with your weekly income

This is an income-related benefit to give you some extra money in retirement.

How much could I get?

If you’re on a low income or struggling to make ends meet, claiming Pension Credit could help. It’s worth claiming Pension Credit even if you’re only entitled to a small amount as it can help you qualify for other benefits such as Housing Benefit. It comes in two parts and you may be eligible for one or both parts:

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of:

• £182.60 if you’re single
• £278.70 if you’re a couple

These amounts can be higher if you have a disability, are a carer, or are a homeowner with service charges.

Savings Credit is only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You may receive it if you saved some money towards your retirement, or your income is higher than the basic State Pension. You could get up to:

• £14.48 if you're single
• £16.20 if you're a couple

Can I claim it?

Guarantee Credit

To qualify, you or your partner need to have reached the State Pension age – rising from 65 for both men and women to 66 by 2020. You can check when you qualify by calling Age NI’s Advice and Advocacy Service or the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

• Your current weekly income needs to be below £182.60 (single) or £278.70 (a couple).
• There’s no savings limit for Pension Credit, but if you have more than £10,000 it affects the amount you receive.
• If you live with a partner, only one of you can claim Pension Credit and you will be assessed as a couple.

Savings Credit

• You will only be eligible for Savings Credit if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. If you’re a couple and one of you reached State Pension age before this date, you may be able to claim.
• The minimum age to qualify for Savings Credit is 65.
• You may get some Savings Credit if you have a higher weekly income.

How do I claim?

You can claim Pension Credit by calling the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.They will ask you questions over the phone, though you’ll need certain details handy, such as:

• your National Insurance (NI) number
• your bank account, income, savings and investments.

You can also ask them to send you a form to fill in at home. If you need help with the form, call our Advice and Advocacy Service on freephone 0808 808 7575.