Retirement

Pension Credit is a benefit that tops up weekly retirement income to a guaranteed minimum level. It is a tax free payment for those who have reached the minimum qualifying age and live in Great Britain. More information can be found in the Pension Credit Toolkit.

You can apply for Pension Credit by completing a paper-based PC1 form, or you can apply by phone. Also, those who apply by phone can expect quicker decisions around their entitlement. DWP is therefore taking steps to encourage customers who may wish to apply for Pension Credit to do so by phone rather than complete a PC1.

Telephone: Freephone 0800 99 1234
Textphone: Freephone 0800 169 0133

Lines are open 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday except public holidays.

Paper claims will still be available but only through requests made to the above telephone numbers.

You can check how much you be entitled to on the Pension Credit Calculator on the www.gov.uk website

What information do people need when making a claim?

Before calling the Pensions Credit Claims Enquiry Line, the following information will be needed about the person making the claim:-

·        a National insurance (NI) number. This can be found on payslips, tax papers and letters from the DWP

·        an idea of how much money they have coming in each week. For example, this could be details of any pension they get from a former employer or a personal pension plan, and how often it is paid

·        details of any savings and investments. The Pension Service will ask for the current balance in any bank and savings accounts and details of any investments, such as shares, premium bonds or unit trust certificates

·        information on housing costs, such as mortgage interest, service charges or ground rent.

If the claimant has a partner, they will need to have the same information about them.

The Pension Service will treat people as a couple if they live with a husband, wife or civil partner, or if they live with someone as if they were their husband, wife or civil partner. They call this other person partner.

Money Advice Service

The Money Advice Service has information on retirement to help people in their 50s and over manage the transition from work to retirement and make sound decisions to improve their financial security throughout retirement.