Question 1

What is the Pension Credit threshold for 2026/27?

Accepted Answer

The Guarantee Credit minimum is £238.00 per week for a single person and £363.25 per week for a couple in 2026/27. If your weekly income (including state pension, private pensions, and earnings) is below these amounts, you are entitled to Guarantee Credit to make up the difference.

Question 2

What counts as income for Pension Credit?

Accepted Answer

Income includes the state pension, private and workplace pensions, employment or self-employment earnings, and most other regular income. Attendance Allowance, DLA, and PIP are disregarded and do not count. Savings above £10,000 are treated as generating a deemed income of £1 per week for every £500 (or part of £500) above the threshold.

Question 3

Who can still get Savings Credit?

Accepted Answer

Savings Credit is only available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. This means men born before 6 April 1951 and women born before 6 April 1953. For everyone else, Guarantee Credit is the only element of Pension Credit available.

Question 4

Does Pension Credit affect other benefits?

Accepted Answer

Claiming Pension Credit can actually unlock additional support. It can entitle you to free TV licences for those aged 75 or over, Cold Weather Payments of £25 when temperatures are forecast to be 0°C or below, full Housing Benefit, and free NHS dental treatment. These additional benefits can significantly increase the overall value of a Pension Credit claim.

Question 5

How do I claim Pension Credit?

Accepted Answer

You can claim online at GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (free, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). You can backdate a claim by up to 3 months if you were eligible during that period. The DWP estimates that around 850,000 eligible pensioners do not currently claim — it is always worth applying.

Question 6

Can I get Pension Credit if I have savings?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but savings above £10,000 reduce the amount you receive. For every £500 (or part thereof) above £10,000, the DWP assumes you receive £1 per week of income from that capital. So £15,000 in savings adds £10/week to your assessed income. If your total income including this deemed capital income is still below the minimum guarantee, you will receive Pension Credit.

Question 7

Does a workplace or private pension affect Pension Credit?

Accepted Answer

Yes  -  workplace and private pension income counts as income for Pension Credit. It is added to your state pension to give your total weekly income figure. If that total is still below the guarantee minimum (£238.00/week single, £363.25/week couple in 2026/27), you receive Guarantee Credit to make up the shortfall. Having a private pension does not disqualify you — it simply reduces the top-up amount.

Pension Credit Calculator UK 2026/27 — Guarantee Credit & Savings Credit