The ‘Over 80 Pension’ is available in the UK for some people – here’s what you need to know
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that the State Pension currently provides a regular financial income for 13 million older people across the UK. This payment is available to people who have reached the eligible retirement age of 66, set by the UK Government, for both men and women, and have made at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions.
However, people over 80 who either have no Basic State Pension income, or receive less than £105.70 each week, could be entitled to additional funds to assist with daily living expenses. Low-income people over 80 may also qualify for Pension Credit, which could provide more than £4,300 in extra financial support during the 2025/26 fiscal year, reports the Daily Record.
It’s crucial to note that you cannot claim the ‘Over 80 Pension’ if you reached State Pension age on or after April 6, 2016 – if you have, you are eligible for the New State Pension. According to guidance on GOV.UK, you can claim the over 80 pension if all of the following apply:
- You are 80 or over
- You do not get Basic State Pension or your Basic State Pension is less than £105.70 a week
- You were resident in the UK for at least 10 years out of 20 (this does not have to be 10 years in a row) – this 20 year period must include the day before you turned 80 or any day after
- You were ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or the date you made the claim for this pension, if later
If you reside in or are relocating to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, find out about pensions and benefits for UK nationals in the EU, EEA and Switzerland on GOV.UK here. Your qualification for the over 80 pension isn’t dependent on National Insurance contributions.
How to claim
You can get a claim form from either your local Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service. The earliest you can claim is three months before your 80th birthday. You can get a claim form sent to you from the Pension Service by calling 0800 731 7898. You can find the full details on GOV.UK here.
Pension Credit
Some elderly people believe that because they have savings or own their home, they may not qualify for the means-tested benefit, as this can also help with housing costs, winter heating assistance and Council Tax. An award of just £1 per week is sufficient to unlock other support.
Pension Credit boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £227.10 a week for single pensioners or £346.60 for couples. It’s a tax-free payment for those who have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and live in Great Britain.
Pension Credit – check your eligibility
Elderly people, or their friends and family, can verify their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
You can also call the Pension Credit helpline to make a claim on 0800 99 1234. Their lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert guidance and advice is also readily available from:
Pension Credit provides additional financial support for help with living costs for people over State Pension age who have a low income. The payment increases income to at least £227.10 per week for single pensioners and £346.60 per week for couples. There are higher amounts for people who have one or more disabilities or for people who have caring responsibilities.
If you qualify for Pension Credit you may also get other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and access to the higher rates of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed-aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law was altered so a ‘mixed age couple’ – a pair where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is below it – are deemed to be a ‘working age’ couple when assessing entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit, or pension age Housing Benefit, until both are of State Pension age. Prior to this DWP alteration, a mixed-age couple were eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
- earnings, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented with a series of questions with multiple-choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you’ve answered these questions, a summary screen displays your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then shows how much benefit you could receive each week. All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There’s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker, without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:
- are deferring your State Pension
- own more than one property
- are self employed
- have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a claim
You can begin your application up to four months before reaching State Pension age, and you may apply at any time after that. However, claims can only be backdated for up to three months. This means your first payment could include up to three months of Pension Credit if you were eligible during that time.
You will need:
- your National Insurance number
- information about your income, savings and investments
- your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post
If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need information about your income, savings and investments on the date you wish your claim to commence.
How can I apply online?
You can use the online service if:
- you have already claimed your State Pension
- there are no children or young people included in your claim
To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.