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State pensioners are set to receive 11 additional perks and benefits in April, on top of their regular payments. The State Pension offers a consistent taxable income for life once you reach the State Pension age and claim it.
Some individuals choose to defer this while they continue to work.
The State Pension is not means-tested, but the amount you receive is dependent on how many qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions or credits you’ve accrued.
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A minimum of 10 years’ worth is required for any State Pension payment and approximately 35 for the maximum amount – this could be higher for those who were ‘contracted out’.
There are also plenty of other perks available. The current State Pension age is 66 years old for both men and women, reports Birmingham Live.
You can verify when you’ll receive your State Pension using the GOV.UK checker below.
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’ll have the option to claim it then or to 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 which 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, while 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 low income. It consists of two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit, and is separate from your State Pension.
Guarantee Credit boosts your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. The current level is:.
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.
Claiming Pension Credit may make you 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 like 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 those on low incomes or claiming certain benefits in paying their Council Tax bill. Regardless of whether you own your home or rent, and irrespective of your employment status, you can make a claim.
The amount of Council Tax Reduction you receive isn’t fixed. It’s dependent on your personal circumstances and location, as each local council runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme, leading to varying levels of support across the country.
Several factors influence the amount of Council Tax Reduction you’re eligible for, 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.
In Scotland, the Adult Disability Payment is replacing PIP, and the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is also available, but you must have started claiming this before reaching State Pension age.
For those over State Pension age who haven’t claimed DLA or PIP, there’s Attendance Allowance. 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
There are a number of public transport concessions available to older and disabled individuals across the nation. Some of these offer fare discounts, while others provide free travel.
Eligibility for these benefits is dependent on your age or disability status. Once you reach the State Pension age, currently 66 for both men and women, you can apply for an older person’s bus pass.
For those aged 60 and above residing in London, the 60+ London Oyster photocard offers free travel on buses, trains, and other forms of transport within and around the city.
Other regions may also have travel concessions for those over 60. It’s advisable to consult with your local council to find out what assistance is available.
Free passport
Very few will benefit from this, to be fair, and even fewer able to travel. 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 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, there is usually an additional £5 charge.
You can select this option on your application if you wish to use it.
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 at no cost, along with free secure delivery.
If you require a passport urgently or desire a frequent traveller passport (54 pages instead of the standard 34), you will need 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 you but also anyone else living in your household, regardless of their age.
If you’re visually impaired or blind, you can claim a 50% discount on your licence. However, for your household to benefit from this discount, the licence must be registered in your name.
If you reside in a care home or sheltered housing, you may qualify for an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence, costing £7.50. You’ll only require a licence if you watch TV in your own separate accommodation, rather than in a communal area such as a residents’ lounge.
Consult with your warden or administrator to determine if your care home or sheltered housing is eligible for this type of licence.
War widows and widowers
If 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 could be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
If they died 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, you could receive assistance towards your medical costs for your accepted disability through schemes like the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
War Disablement Pension
The War Pension Scheme ( WPS ) compensates for any injury, illness or death which was caused by service before 6 April 2005. There are 2 main types of WPS awards.
Which one you get depends on the level of your disablement: a gratuity is a tax free lump sum payment for disablement less than 20%.
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