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Pension credit

Pension credit

Single guarantee (2026/27) £218.15/week
Couple guarantee (2026/27) £332.95/week
Savings ignored up to £10,000
Not sure if you qualify? Try the checker →

What do you need to know?

Jump straight to the guide that answers your question.

Eligibility

Who can claim, how income and savings are assessed, and the rules for couples.

How to claim

The step-by-step application process, backdating, and what documents you need.

Calculator

Get a quick, no-obligation estimate of what you could be entitled to.

What is Pension Credit?

The full explainer, covering Guarantee Credit, Savings Credit, and how the two fit together.

Guarantee vs Savings Credit

The key differences explained, including who's eligible for each element.

Pension Credit amounts

The current 2026/27 figures, updated every April, with a full breakdown of additional amounts.

Benefits unlocked by Pension Credit

Council Tax Reduction, a free TV licence, NHS costs, Cold Weather Payments, and more.

Pension Credit is one of the most valuable — and most under-claimed — benefits available to retired people in the UK. If you're over State Pension age and living on a modest income, it can top up your weekly income significantly, and qualifying can unlock a whole range of further help, from Council Tax Reduction to a free TV licence and help with NHS costs. Yet a large number of pensioners who are entitled to it never claim, often because they wrongly assume savings, a small workplace pension, or owning their own home rules them out.

This hub brings together everything you need: what Pension Credit actually is, whether you're likely to qualify, exactly how much you could get, and how to apply. Start with whichever section matches where you are, or jump straight to our Pension Credit checker for a quick estimate. Everything here is general information, not a personal benefits assessment — GOV.UK and MoneyHelper (moneyhelper.org.uk) can confirm your own exact entitlement.