Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
When you retire, your income usually reduces. To help you manage, you may be able to get certain benefits on top of any State Pension you're entitled to. Some of these benefits are age-related, others depend on your income. Tax allowances are also more generous from age 65 if your income is below a certain level.
Follow the links below to find out more. To return to this page simply use your 'back' button. You may also find it useful to print this page.
Eligibility for the basic State Pension depends on your record of National Insurance contributions (NICs). You can choose to claim your basic State Pension to get it when you reach State Pension age, or put off claiming it to get more later on.
Today, the State Pension age for men is 65. Starting on 6 April 2010, the State Pension age for women began to change from 60 to reach 65 by 2020. The State Pension age for both men and women will rise in the future. You can work out your own State Pension age based on the current rules.
However, the government is reviewing the current timetable for increasing the State Pension age from 65 to 66. No decision has yet been made as to how the timetable will change. Any change will require the approval of Parliament.
The additional State Pension is also known as the State Second Pension (formerly the State Earnings-Related Pensions Scheme (SERPS) pension). Eligibility is based on a combination of your earnings from employment, and NICs you have made or been credited with. You may also be eligible for other reasons, such as a disability or because you've spent time caring for someone. If you qualify, you'll automatically get the additional State Pension when you claim your basic State Pension.
If you're aged 80 or over and have little or no State Pension, you may be able to get the Over 80 Pension.
If you have reached the qualifying age, you can apply for Pension Credit to top up your income to a weekly minimum.
The age from which you can get Pension Credit – the qualifying age – is gradually increasing from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and 2020. To find out the age when you may be able to apply for Pension Credit, you can use the State Pension age calculator.
The State Pension age for both men and women will rise in the future. The government is reviewing the current timetable for increasing the State Pension age from 65 to 66. No decision has yet been made as to how the timetable will change. Any change will require the approval of Parliament.
Changes to the State Pension age are likely to affect the Pension Credit qualifying age.
You may be able to claim a payment to help with fuel bills if have reached the qualifying age by the end of the third week of September. The age from which you can get Winter Fuel Payment – the qualifying age – is increasing in line with the State Pension age for women.
To find out the age when you can get Winter Fuel Payment, you can use the State Pension age calculator. There is also an extra £100 for eligible households that include someone aged 80 or over.
You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment to help with extra heating costs during periods of very cold weather. Payments are made automatically – you don't need to claim.
If you're on a low income you may be able to claim up to £3,500 or in some cases £6,000 for heating improvements to your home.
You can get Attendance Allowance if you're aged 65 or over and need help with personal care because of an illness or disability.
If you look after someone who's severely disabled, you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance. If you're severely disabled, someone who looks after you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance.
If you get certain benefits, including a State Pension, you'll usually get an extra amount, normally £10, at Christmas.
A Funeral Payment can help with the cost of a simple funeral for someone close to you if you are responsible for arranging the funeral.
Community Care Grants and Budgeting Loans can help cover the cost of one-off expenses including household items, clothing and footwear and certain travelling expenses.
Crisis Loans can be paid in an emergency or disaster to help with day to day living costs or essential items. They're available where there's a serious risk to you or your family and you can't get help from elsewhere.
If you're on a low income and paying rent, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit.
You may also be able to claim Council Tax Benefit if you're on a low income.
Eligible older people are entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. Read ‘Free bus travel and concessions’ to find out more.
If you're aged 60 or over you may be entitled to help with various health costs, including prescriptions, eye tests and dental treatment.
You can get a free television licence if you're aged 75 or over – and pay a reduced fee when renewing between age 74 and 75.
You can claim a tax-free pension if your husband, wife or civil partner died because of war service or received a War Pension or related allowance.
Everybody gets a tax-free personal allowance – an amount of income you can have before you need to pay tax. If your income is below £22,900 for the tax year 2010-2011 the personal allowance increases when you're 65 and again when you're 75.
If you're married or in a civil partnership and are a taxpayer and either you or your partner was born before 6 April 1935 you can claim married couple's allowance.
Facebook
Twitter
Google Buzz
StumbleUpon
Delicious
Reddit