DWP Faces Growing Pressure to Amend Pension Credit Rules for Mixed-Age Couples
The Department for Work and Pensions is facing renewed calls to reconsider a controversial eligibility rule that affects thousands of mixed-age couples across the United Kingdom. Under current regulations, state pensioners whose partners have not yet reached state pension age are completely barred from claiming Pension Credit, a vital financial support mechanism designed to assist older people on low incomes.
Policy Described as Unfair and Punitive
Morgan Vine, director of policy, grants and influencing at the financial support organisation Independent Age, has been particularly vocal in criticising the existing framework. She argues that the current system represents poor policy-making that requires urgent reversal. "This is not a good policy and needs to be reversed," Vine stated emphatically, highlighting the disproportionate impact on vulnerable households.
Vine explained the particular urgency for reform, noting that "this is a good time to reverse it, as we're looking at, in the context of the state pension age rising, the people that we support are going to have to wait even longer if they are in a mixed age couple." This creates a compounding disadvantage for those already facing financial challenges.
Questioning the Fundamental Logic
The policy expert raised fundamental questions about the rule's underlying rationale. "Why does it have to be on a working age household entitlement level, why can't it be on a pensioner age household entitlement level?" she asked, suggesting an alternative approach that would better serve those most in need.
Vine elaborated on the potential benefits of such a change: "Because then, largely you'd be supporting somebody also in the most at-risk group, in their 50s to 60s, who has an older partner. It would be a double-win, because you'd also be helping them." She noted that those qualifying for such benefits typically have low incomes and are not in employment, making the support particularly crucial.
Emotional Impact on Affected Couples
Beyond the financial implications, Vine highlighted the emotional toll the policy takes on affected individuals. "We definitely think it's something that should be looked at. For a lot of the people we support, they very much feel like they are being penalised for who they love, which isn't something anyone wants to be in a situation of," she revealed, emphasising the human dimension often overlooked in benefit discussions.
DWP Defends Current Approach
In response to these criticisms, a DWP spokesperson defended the government's record on pensioner support. "Supporting pensioners is a top priority and our commitment to the triple lock means millions of older people will see their state pension rise by up to £2,100, with an extra 47,300 pensioner households awarded Pension Credit – worth on average £86 a week," they stated.
The spokesperson further clarified the department's position on benefit allocation: "Pension Credit is intended to aid pensioners who have left the labour market. A person of working age is entitled to different benefits which include employment support, such as Universal Credit." This distinction forms the basis of the current eligibility criteria that excludes mixed-age couples where one partner remains below state pension age.
The debate highlights the tension between targeted benefit systems and the complex realities of modern household arrangements, with campaigners arguing that current rules fail to account for the financial vulnerabilities that can affect couples with age differences.
