Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of 2 parts - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it’s below £148.35 (for single people) or £226.50 (for couples).

Savings Credit is an extra payment for people who saved some money towards their retirement, eg a pension.

You don't pay tax on Pension Credit.

Use the Pension Credit calculator to work out how much you might get.

You might get more if you're a carer, severely disabled or have certain housing costs.

Use the Pension Credit calculator to work out how much you might get.

You might be eligible for other benefits when you get Pension Credit - check a benefits calculator.

How you’re paid

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account, eg a bank account.

If your circumstances change

Phone the helpline if your circumstances change as this can affect how much you get. For example, if your income or capital goes up or down.

Pension Service helpline
Telephone: 0845 60 60 265
Textphone: 0800 169 0133
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

Get face-to-face advice or leaflets about Pension Credit from your local Service Information Point. You need to book for face-to-face advice.

To qualify for Guarantee Credit:

• you must live in Great Britain
• you or your partner must have reached Pension Credit qualifying age

The qualifying age for Pension Credit is gradually going up to 66 in line with the increase in the State Pension age for women to 65 and the further increase to 66 for men and women.

Find out more about Pension Credit and when you could get it.

To qualify for the extra Savings Credit you or your partner must be 65 or over.

You’re treated as a couple if you live with your husband, wife or partner. You don’t have to be married or in a civil partnership.

You can't get Pension Credit if you move abroad permanently.

Working out your income

When you apply your income is worked out. This includes:

• State Pension
• other pensions
• most social security benefits, eg Carer’s Allowance
• savings, investments over £10,000 - for these £1 is counted for every £500 or part £500
• earnings

The calculation doesn’t include:

• Attendance Allowance
• Christmas Bonus 
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction

If you’re registered for Self Assessment, you must tell the Pension Service how much Income Tax you expect to pay for the current tax year - this affects how much Pension Credit you’ll get.

Get face-to-face advice or leaflets about Pension Credit from your local Service Information Point. You need to book for face-to-face advice.

The quickest way to apply for Pension Credit is by phone.

Pension Credit claim line
Telephone: 0800 99 1234
Textphone: 0800 169 0133
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

You can also send form PC1 to your local pension centre.

What you need to claim

You will need:

• your National Insurance number
• information about your income, savings and investments
• your bank account details

The earliest you can start your application is 4 months before you reach Pension Credit qualifying age.

You can claim any time after you reach Pension Credit qualifying age but your claim can only be backdated for 3 months.

Appeal a decision

You can appeal the decision about your Pension Credit if you're unhappy with it.

Check the date on your decision letter. There are different ways to appeal if your decision was made:

• before 28 October 2013
• on or after 28 October 2013