Major Changes to the UK State Pension: Additional state pension support has been announced for thousands of senior citizens in the UK. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that those receiving a basic state pension of less than £106 per week can receive additional payments. Additionally, approximately 760,000 older citizens are also eligible for Pension Credit, which provides an additional top-up of up to £4,300 annually.
What is the Over 80 Pension?
The “Over 80 Pension” is a special scheme designed to ensure that older pensioners’ incomes do not fall below a minimum level. From the 2025–2026 tax year, if you are 80 or over and receiving less than £105.70 per week in the basic state pension, or no pension at all, you can claim this scheme.
The scheme is simple: the government increases your weekly pension by £105.70. The amount you receive will depend on how much you’re already receiving.
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How does this top-up work?
Let’s say you’re 80 years old and receiving only £43 per week in your basic state pension. This scheme will increase your payment by £62.70, bringing it to £105.70 per week. This way, the scheme ensures that no senior has to live on less than minimum support.
However, there’s one important condition—if you reached your state pension age on or after April 6, 2016, you won’t be eligible for this “over-80 pension.” This benefit only applies to those on the old state pension system.
Eligibility isn’t based solely on income
The benefits of this scheme aren’t based solely on age and income. To claim, you must prove that you lived in the UK for at least 10 of the 20 years before your 80th birthday. These 10 years do not have to be consecutive, but they must occur within a 20-year period.
In addition, you must be “ordinarily resident” in the UK, the Isle of Man, or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or the date of claim (if claiming later). This is to ensure that the scheme only reaches those with a genuine UK connection.
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What are the rules for those living abroad?
If you live in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, the rules may be different. Eligibility in these cases is determined by international agreements. Importantly, your National Insurance contributions are not relevant to claiming this pension.
Pension Credit: Another Support
Pension Credit, along with the “Over 80 Pension,” is a major source of relief for the elderly. This scheme supplements the income of low-income pensioners to a minimum level. It is estimated that approximately 760,000 people are already eligible, but many are still unaware and unable to take advantage of it.
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Guaranteed Security for the Elderly
The UK government believes that no citizen should have to worry about poverty or low income as they age. Schemes like the “Over 80 Pension” and “Pension Credit” are part of this vision. These schemes ensure that every elderly person can live a dignified and secure life.