Pension Credit in Northern Ireland

Pension Credit is an income-related benefit that provides extra money to support your weekly income in retirement.

If you live in Northern Ireland, are over State Pension age and finding it tricky to make ends meet, you might be able to claim Pension Credit to top up your income. It comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

How much Pension Credit could I get?

If you’re on a low income or struggling to make ends meet, claiming Pension Credit could help. It’s worth claiming Pension Credit even if you’re only entitled to a small amount as it can help you qualify for other benefits such as Housing Benefit. It comes in two parts and you may be eligible for one or both parts:

What is Guarantee Credit?

Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of:

• £218.15 if you are single
• £332.95 if you are couple

These amounts can be higher if you have a disability, are a carer, or are a homeowner with service charges.

What is Savings Credit?

Savings Credit is only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You may receive it if you saved some money towards your retirement, or your income is higher than the basic State Pension. You could get up to:

• £17.01 extra per week if you're single
• £19.04 extra per week if you're a couple

Am I eligible to claim Pension Credit?

There are different eligibility requirements for each of the parts of Pension Credit.

Can I claim Guarantee Credit?

To qualify, you or your partner need to have reached the State Pension age. You can check when you qualify by calling Age NI’s Advice and Advocacy Service or the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

• Your current weekly income needs to be below £218.15 (single) or £332.95 (a couple).
• There’s no savings limit for Pension Credit, but if you have more than £10,000 it affects the amount you receive.
• If you live with a partner, only one of you can claim Pension Credit and you will be assessed as a couple.

Can I claim Savings Credit?

• You will only be eligible for Savings Credit if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. If you’re a couple and one of you reached State Pension age before this date, you may be able to claim.
• The minimum age to qualify for Savings Credit is 65.
• You may get some Savings Credit if you have a higher weekly income.

How to claim Pension Credit in Northern Ireland?

You can claim Pension Credit by calling the Northern Ireland Pension Centre. They will ask you questions over the phone, though you’ll need certain details handy, such as:

• your National Insurance (NI) number
• your bank account details
• information about your income, savings and investments
• information about your pension (if you have one)
• details of any housing costs you have (such as a mortgage, interest payments or service charges)
• your partner’s details, if you have a partner.

You can also ask them to send you a form to fill in at home. If you need help with the form, call our Advice and Advocacy Service on freephone 0808 808 7575.