State pensioners who reach age 67 will lose access to eight Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits under new rules confirmed by the Labour government. The state pension age is rising from 66 to 67 in a phased rollout, affecting millions of claimants.
Benefits Lost at State Pension Age
When you reach State Pension age, you can no longer claim the following benefits:
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Contributory or New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Bereavement Support Payment
- Widowed Parent's Allowance
Additionally, you cannot make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) once you have reached State Pension age. However, if you were already receiving these benefits, you can renew your claim as long as the same health conditions apply and your last claim ended less than 12 months before reaching State Pension age.
Complex Rules for Couples
Turn2us advises: "If you live with a partner and one of you is pension age and the other is not yet pension age, benefit entitlement can be complicated."
State Pension Age Changes
Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may differ from the age you can access a workplace or personal pension. The State Pension age is regularly reviewed. You can continue working after reaching State Pension age, as the 'default retirement age' of 65 no longer exists.
