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.
Pension credit is made up of two parts: guarantee credit and savings credit. You may be eligible for one or both.
If you're single and your weekly income is below £238.00 in 2026-27, guarantee credit tops up your income to this amount.
If you have a partner, it tops up your joint weekly income to £363.25.
To qualify, you must:
You might qualify for extra pension credit if you:
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 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:
Savings credit is worth up to £17.96 a week for a single person and £20.10 for couples.
For every £1 by which your income exceeds the savings credit threshold (£208.07 a week if you're single, and £329.75 a week if you're in a couple), your savings credit is reduced by 40p.
Whether you’re unsure if you have enough to retire, or are already accessing your savings, our money guidance service can talk you through your options. Which? Money members get unlimited access to them via phone.
Find out moreIt's important to claim pension credit if you're entitled to it, as it acts as a gateway to other benefits, including:
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.
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.