The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have outlined the financial support available for people over State Pension age after Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy asked what steps are being taken to support women born in the 1950s affected by changes to their retirement age. In a written response, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell explained how the DWP is “committed to supporting pensioners” with State Pensions set to rise every year for the duration of the Labour Government using the Triple Lock policy.
Under the Triple Lock, the New and Basic State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest between the average annual earnings growth from May to July, CPI in the year to September, or 2.5 per cent. The DWP Minister confirmed State Pension payments are set to rise by 4.1 per cent from April 7.
Mr Bell said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their yearly Basic State Pension rise by around £1,500, or their New State Pension rise by around £1,900, over this parliament, through our commitment to the Triple Lock.
“Pension Credit provides vital financial support for pensioners, including women. It tops up state and private pensions to a guaranteed weekly minimum – the Standard Minimum Guarantee, which, for single pensioners, is set to increase from £218.15 to £227.10 in April 2025.”
He also said to maximise take-up of Pension Credit – an estimated 760,000 pensioners are entitled to the annual income boost of over £4,200 and not claiming it – the DWP has been running the “biggest ever” awareness campaign because “we want all eligible pensioners to claim what they are entitled to”.
The DWP Minister also said the UK Government offers further direct financial help to low-income pensioners through the Warm Home Discount scheme – which is set to widen eligibility next winter and support more than 6.1 million households.
Pensioners in England and Wales also benefit from £25 Cold Weather Payments, while those over 66 in Scotland receive the annual £58.75 Winter Heating Payment.
Additional financial support to help people with cost of living help is also available from local councils across the country – find out more on the dedicated pages on the Scottish Government website here.
Mr Bell added: “For those people who are unable to work but who are not yet eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age, financial support is available through the welfare system.”
Benefits for people over State Pension age
Benefits and discounts available in retirement include:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Help with Council Tax
- Help with heating costs – eligibility for some may require a relevant qualifying means-tested benefit
- Health benefits – Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment
- Travel and TV benefits
- Benefits for war widows and widowers
State Pension
The State Pension gives you a regular taxable income for the rest of your life as soon as you reach State Pension age and make a claim for it. Some people choose to defer this while they continue to work.
It’s not means-tested, but the amount you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions or credits you’ve built up. You need at least 10 years’ for any State Pension payment and around 35 for the maximum amount – this may be more for people who were ‘contracted out’, find out more here.
State Pension payments 2025/26
Full New State Pension
- Weekly payment: £230.25 (from £221.20)
- Four-weekly payment: £921 (from £884.80)
- Annual amount: £11,973 (from £11,502)
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly payment: £176.45 (from £169.50)
- Four-weekly payment: £705.80 (from £678)
- Annual amount: £9,175 (from £8,814)
Pension Credit
Pension Credit currently gives 1.4m people across the UK – including over 125,000 in Scotland – extra money to help with living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It is a ‘passport’ benefit providing on average around £4,200 each year in financial support, acting as a ‘gateway’ to Council Tax discounts, help with housing costs and NHS discounts along with free TV Licences for the over-75s.
Try the Pension Credit Calculator on GOV.UK for yourself or a family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to. You can also call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234.
Help with Council Tax
Whether you own your home or rent, you could be eligible for support from your local authority to help you pay your Council Tax. Contact your local council to ask about support with Council Tax – find out more here.
Insulation and heating schemes
There are a number of schemes that install insulation and heating improvements to make your home more energy efficient. You’re likely to be eligible if your home is poorly insulated or doesn’t have a working central heating system, and if you receive any of a range of income-related benefits including Pension Credit.
Find out more from Home Energy Scotland here or by calling 0808 808 2282.
Health benefits
Everyone in Scotland is entitled to free prescriptions. Find out more about free dental treatment and refunds for travel to hospital appointments here.
Disability and care benefits
A number of benefits are available to people who have disabilities, long-term health conditions or specific care needs.
These benefits include:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – if you’re under State Pension age, if you reached State Pension age while claiming PIP this will continue
- Adult Disability Payment – replacing PIP for people living in Scotland
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – you will need to have been already claiming this before you reached State Pension age
- Attendance Allowance – if you’re over State Pension age and have not claimed DLA or PIP
- Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) – a new benefit replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland and available to claim now in Argyll and Bute, Highland, Aberdeen City, Orkney and Shetland. Find out more here.
We have dedicated sections on the Daily Record website for each of these benefits:
- PIP
- Adult Disability Payment
- DLA
- Attendance Allowance (includes articles on Pension Age Disability Payment)
Travel concessions
If you are over 60 or disabled find out about travel concessions on the Transport Scotland website here.
Free passport
If you were born on or before September 2, 1929, and are a British national, you could be eligible for a free passport. Find out more and how to apply on the GOV.UK website here.
Free / Discounted TV Licence
You now have to pay for your TV licence unless you are getting Pension Credit. People over State Pension age may be able to get the TV Licence for half price if they are registered as severely sight-impaired or blind.
Check out the MoneyHelper Advice Service TV licence guide here to find out if you’re eligible.
Benefits for war widows and widowers
If your husband, wife or civil partner died or were injured or became ill as a result of their service in Her Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces, or during a time of war before April 6, 2005, you might be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
If they died or sustained an injury or illness due to serving in a conflict after April 6, 2005, you might be entitled to compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Find out more about War widows and widowers’ pensions and compensation on the GOV.UK website here.
Medical costs for war pensioners
If you need medical treatment because you were disabled while serving in the Armed Forces, you could get help towards your medical costs for your accepted disability.
War Disablement Pension
If you were injured or disabled while serving in the Armed Forces before April 6, 2005, you can get extra help towards your pension. Find out more about War Disablement Pension on the GOV.UK website here .
Age Scotland also have a full list of benefits, discounts and support older people may be entitled to claim, find out more on their website here.