State pensioners are set to receive 11 additional perks and benefits in April, over and above their regular payments. The State Pension offers a consistent taxable income for life once you reach the State Pension age and make a claim.
Some individuals choose to delay this while they continue to work. The State Pension is not means-tested, but the amount you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions or credits you’ve gathered.
You need at least 10 years’ worth for any State Pension payment and approximately 35 for the maximum amount – this could be higher for people who were ‘contracted out’. There are also plenty of other benefits available. The current State Pension age is 66 years old for both men and women, reports Birmingham Live.
Your State Pension won’t be automatically given – you have to claim it. You should receive an invitation letter from the Pension Service around 4 months before you reach State Pension age.
At that point, you can choose to claim it or defer it and receive higher payments in the future instead.
State Pension
The new State Pension was introduced in 2016, replacing the old State Pension that existed prior to it. Which pension applies to you depends on whether you reached State Pension age before the new State Pension was implemented.
The new State Pension, introduced in 2016, replaced the old State Pension (often referred to as ‘the basic State Pension’). Those who already qualified for the old State Pension will continue to receive it, but new claimants will receive the new State Pension.
Eventually, the old State Pension will be phased out entirely.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for individuals over State Pension age with a low income. It consists of two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
It’s separate from your State Pension.
Guarantee Credit boosts your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. The current level is:
- £218.15 if you’re single
- £332.95 if you’re a couple.
Savings Credit provides additional funds if you have some savings or if your income exceeds the basic State Pension. It’s available to those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
You could receive up to:
- £17.01 extra per week if you’re single
- £19.04 extra per week if you’re a couple.
By claiming Pension Credit, you may also become eligible for other benefits, such as assistance with health and housing costs.
Insulation and Heating schemes
A Cold Weather Payment is £25 per week for each 7-day period – or forecasted 7-day period – of cold weather. This only applies between 1 November and 31 March each year.
If your home lacks adequate insulation or a functioning central heating system, and you’re receiving income-related benefits such as Pension Credit, you’re likely to be eligible.
Council Tax help
Council Tax Reduction, also known as Council Tax Support, is a benefit designed to assist individuals on low incomes or those claiming certain benefits in paying their Council Tax bill. This claim can be made regardless of whether you own your home or rent, and your employment status does not affect your eligibility.
The amount of Council Tax Reduction you receive is not fixed. It depends on your personal circumstances and location.
Each local council runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme, leading to variations in the levels of support provided across the country.
The amount of Council Tax Reduction you are eligible for depends on several factors, no matter where you reside.
Disability and care benefits
There are multiple benefits available to individuals, including the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). If you’re below State Pension age, your PIP claim will continue if you reach State Pension age while still claiming.
Adult Disability Payment is another benefit, replacing PIP for residents of Scotland. Additionally, there’s the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), but you must have started claiming this before reaching State Pension age.
Attendance Allowance is available if you’re over State Pension age and haven’t claimed DLA or PIP. In Scotland, the new Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) is replacing Attendance Allowance and is currently claimable in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland.
Travel concessions
Several national public transport concessions are available to older individuals and those with disabilities. Some of these concessions offer fare discounts, while others provide free travel.
Eligibility for these benefits depends on your age or disability status. An older person’s bus pass can be obtained when you reach the State Pension age, currently set at 66 for both men and women.
For those aged 60 or above residing in London, the 60+ London Oyster photocard offers free travel on buses, trains, and other forms of transport within and around London.
Other regions may also provide travel concessions for individuals over 60. It is advisable to consult with your local council to understand what assistance is available.
Free passport
British nationals born on or before 2 September 1929 are eligible to apply for a free passport. This applies to both renewals and first-time applications, although urgent passport applications will incur a fee.
Supporting documents, such as birth certificates, will be returned to you free of charge via standard second-class post. If you prefer secure delivery, an additional £5 fee is typically charged.
You can select this option during your application process.
If you’re a British national born on or before 2 September 1929, you can obtain or renew a British passport for free. The Post Office Check and Send service is also available for free, along with free secure delivery.
If you require a passport urgently or need a frequent traveller passport (54 pages instead of 34), you will be required to pay a fee.
BBC TV licence
For those aged 75 or over and in receipt of Pension Credit, a free TV licence can be claimed. This covers not only the claimant but also anyone else residing in the same household, regardless of their age.
A 50% discount on the licence can be claimed by individuals who are blind or have severe sight impairment. However, for the household to benefit from this discount, the licence must be registered under the name of the person with the sight impairment.
Residents of care homes or sheltered housing may qualify for an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence, costing £7.50. This is only necessary if TV is watched in separate accommodation rather than communal spaces such as residents’ lounges.
To determine eligibility for this type of licence, consult with your warden or administrator.
War widows and widowers
In the event that your spouse or civil partner has passed away, been injured or fallen ill due to their service in HM Armed Forces, or during a time of war prior to April 6, 2005, you may be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
Should they have passed away or suffered an injury or illness due to involvement in a conflict post-April 6, 2005, you might be eligible for compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
War pensioners
If you become disabled while serving in the Armed Forces and require medical treatment, schemes such as the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) could provide assistance towards your medical costs for your accepted disability.
War Disablement Pension
The War Pension Scheme (WPS) compensates for any injury, illness or death caused by service before 6 April 2005. There are two main types of WPS awards.
The type you receive depends on the level of your disablement: a gratuity is a tax-free lump sum payment for disablement less than 20%.
