State pensioners born before 1960 who receive less than £380 a month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are being urged to check their eligibility for additional financial support. Martin Lewis, the renowned BBC and ITV financial expert, has called on retirees in this situation to investigate whether they qualify for higher payments.
Pension Credit: A vital top-up
Mr Lewis, 52, founder of Money Saving Expert, highlighted that around 900,000 of the UK's poorest pensioners are not claiming Pension Credit despite being entitled to it. This benefit provides an average of £4,300 per year. He stated: "Even after all the shenanigans linking the Warm Home Discount to Pension Credit, there are, according to the govt's own figures still 900,000 of the very poorest pensioners (out of 2.3 million eligible) missing out on the crucial Pension Credit income top up! It's not good enough."
How Pension Credit works
Pension Credit consists of two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a minimum level. For 2026/27, this is £238 a week for single individuals and £363 a week for couples. Savings Credit is available for those who reached state pension age before April 2016. It provides up to £17.96 a week for single people and £20.10 for couples, provided your income exceeds certain thresholds: £208.07 for singles and £329.75 for couples.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for Pension Credit, you must live in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) and have reached State Pension age, meaning you were born before 1960. Your weekly income must be below £238 if single or £363 if in a couple. The income threshold may be slightly higher if you claim disability-related benefits like Attendance Allowance or have caring responsibilities.
Money Saving Expert advises: "So if you're in this position we suggest checking if you have an income under £250 a week if you're single or £380 a week if you're in a couple."
