State pension alert to 910,000 Brits missing out on £4,300 boost | Personal Finance | Finance

Hundreds of thousands of state pensioners have been urged to check whether they could be entitled to extra financial help worth up to an average of £4,300 a year through Pension Credit. The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that around 910,000 pensioner households across the UK may be eligible for Pension Credit but are not currently claiming it. The benefit is designed to support older people on low incomes, yet many are still missing out simply because they do not realise they qualify.

Pension Credit is an income-related benefit that tops up weekly income for people over State Pension age. If a pensioner’s income is below a certain level, the Government can boost it to a minimum guaranteed amount. It can also unlock access to other support, such as help with housing costs, council tax reductions, and free TV licences for those aged 75 or over.

There are two parts to Pension Credit: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit tops up income to a minimum level, while Savings Credit may give extra money to those who have saved some income for retirement, though this is only available to people who reached State Pension age before April 2016.

Eligibility is based on income, savings, and circumstances, including whether you live alone or with a partner, have caring responsibilities, have a disability, or have housing costs such as rent or service charges.

Importantly, many people wrongly assume they won’t qualify if they have savings or own their home. However, this is not always the case, and many still could be entitled to support.

Officials also say reaching those missing out can be difficult, which is why trusted figures play an important role in spreading awareness. This includes GPs, pharmacists, local council teams, home care workers, Post Office staff, and even friends and family.

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “We’re committed to supporting harder-up pensioners however we can. Pension Credit is a simple way to give those who need it the most some extra support with bills or a free TV licence.

“I’d urge anyone who thinks they, or anyone they know, might be able to claim Pension Credit, to take a few minutes out of their day to check and apply. This country’s pensioners deserve every penny they are entitled to.”