Pension credit explained
What is pension credit?
Pension credit is a mean-tested benefit that tops up the state pension for those on a low income.
It's worth around £3,900 a year on average, but according to the government around a quarter of people who are eligible fail to claim it.
How much is pension credit?
Pension credit is made up of two parts: guarantee credit and savings credit. You may be eligible for one or both.
Guarantee credit
If you're single and your weekly income is below £227.10 in 2025-26, guarantee credit tops up your income to this amount.
If you have a partner, it tops up your joint weekly income to £346.60.
To qualify, you must:
- live in the UK
- have reached state pension age (currently 66)
You might qualify for extra pension credit if you:
- are a carer and get carer's allowance or carer support payment
- have severe disabilities
- are responsible for children or young people
- have certain housing costs, including ground rent if your property is leasehold
The government's pension credit calculator will give you an estimate of the pension credit you are eligible for based on your circumstances.
Savings credit
Savings credit is only available for people who reached state pension age before April 2016. However, if you're in a couple and your partner reached state pension age before 6 April 2016, you could still qualify.
To qualify you must:
- have a minimum income for 2025-26 of £198.27 a week if you're single, and £314.34 a week if you're in a couple
- live in the UK
- have saved some money for retirement, eg via a personal or workplace pension
Savings credit is worth up to £17.30 a week for a single person and £19.36 for couples.
For every £1 by which your income exceeds the savings credit threshold (£198.27 a week if you're single, and £314.34 a week if you're in a couple), your savings credit is reduced by 40p.
How claiming pension credit can give you access to other help
It's important to claim pension credit if you're entitled to it, as it acts as a gateway to other benefits, including:
- Winter fuel payment (winter heating payment, if you live in Scotland)
- Free TV licence, if you're 75 or over
- Warm home discount
- Housing benefit, if you rent your home
- Council tax reduction
How to qualify for pension credit?
You must have reached state pension age to qualify for pension credit.
When you apply for pension credit, the government looks at all of your income, including the state pension, any income from other pensions, and income from employment or self-employment.
If you have a partner, your income is calculated together.
Not all benefits are counted as income: housing benefit, council tax reduction and personal independence payments, for example, are all disregarded.
If you have any savings, the first £10,000 isn't counted. Then every £500 you have over that amount counts as £1 of income a week.
How do I claim pension credit?
To claim pension credit, you can apply online or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You also have the option to download a claim form and post it to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3.
When you claim you will need your National Insurance number, information about your income, savings and investments and your bank account details.