Retirees urged to use for pension credit score plus £300 top-up

On Nov 28, 2023

Football pundit Redknapp needs to see extra over-60s apply for pension credit score
Scheme tops up the state pension, however 800,000 retirees are lacking out

Updated: 13:13, 28 November 2023

Retirees are being urged to use for pension credit score within the subsequent 12 days to qualify for a £300 top-up. and have recruited ex-football supervisor Harry Redknapp in its promoting blitz.

Pension credit score is a profit that tops up weekly earnings for poorer state pensioners to a minimal of £201.05 for single individuals and £306.85 for {couples}.

Almost 1.4million pensioners get pension credit score – which additionally unlocks different advantages – however not like the state pension it needs to be utilized for.

Around 800,000 extra individuals might qualify however haven’t made an utility.

In credit: Pension credit is designed to give low-income retirees a helping hand with finances

In credit score: Pension credit score is designed to offer low-income retirees a serving to hand with funds

Now the DWP has recruited former soccer supervisor turned pundit Harry Redknapp in a bid to encourage extra retirees to enroll.

In a DWP video, he leans out of a automobile window to offer an interview – a nod to well-known clips of him doing the identical in his managerial profession on switch deadline days for signing new gamers.

Redknapp stated: ‘It’s all the time an thrilling time of the season – I’d simply say to anybody, examine in together with your mum, dad, nan, or grandad. This may very well be a superb signing.’

Those that apply for pension credit score now can get a £300 authorities price of residing cost, however provided that they apply by 10 December.

There isn’t any deadline to assert pension credit score – value round £4,000 a 12 months – which may be claimed at any level within the 12 months.

However, there’s a deadline to be eligible to get the most recent price of residing cost.

Normally, recipients of this £300 cost must have claimed a qualifying profit resembling pension credit score between 18 August and 17 September.

But as a result of pension credit score claims may be backdated by three months, profitable claimants will qualify for the additional £300 in the event that they get a declare in by 10 December.

Paul Maynard, Minister for Pensions, stated: ‘We need each pensioner to obtain all they assist they’ll and with time ticking right down to deadline day and the window drawing to a detailed, now’s the right time to be sure to or your family members aren’t lacking out on this very important assist.

‘In many circumstances, it is an open objective to extra money in your pocket.’

Other perks of making use of for pension credit score embrace assist with housing prices, heating, council tax, TV licences and different payments.

There had been 118,200 pension credit score claims processed between April and September this 12 months, the DWP stated.

However, practically 40 per cent have been unsuccessful.

Common causes for claims being thrown out embrace having an excessive amount of earnings, not being a UK resident, failure to supply all requested info, not claiming on time or not being the suitable age.

How to use for pension credit score

You can apply your self by telephone on 0800 99 1234, do it on a authorities web site or get a type to do it by publish.

A good friend or member of the family can apply on behalf of an aged individual.

Charity Age UK is urging each older individual scuffling with payments, or family and friends who’re involved about them, to contact its helpline on 0800 169 65 65.

This is open daily of the 12 months between 8am and 7pm, or you’ll be able to go to Age UK’s assist web page right here.

Age UK employees will examine you might be getting the whole lot you might be entitled to, together with pension credit score.

Age UK additionally has a free, nameless advantages calculator which may present an estimate of what you could possibly be entitled to if you wish to discover out this info privately.

How a lot is the state pension?

The full flat charge state pension is £203.85 every week or an annual £10,600. This will rise to £221.20 or round £11,500 a subsequent April.

People who retired earlier than April 2016 on a full primary state pension obtain £156.20 every week or £8,120 a 12 months. This is because of rise to £169.50 every week or round £8,800.

The previous primary charge is topped up by further state pension entitlements – S2P and Serps – in the event that they had been earned throughout working years.

People who’ve contracted out of S2P and Serps to pay much less National Insurance through the years and retire after April 2016 would possibly get lower than the total new state pension.

Workers now must have 35 years of contributions to get the brand new flat charge state pension, in contrast with 30 years of qualifying National Insurance contributions to get the previous state pension.

But even in the event you paid in full for a complete 35 years or extra, in the event you contracted out for some years it’d nonetheless cut back what you get.

Everyone will get the choice of deferring their state pension to get extra of their later years and you’ll purchase state pension top-ups to fill in gaps.

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