£ Pension Credit DecodedBritain's unclaimed benefit · explained
Pension Credit · United Kingdom

Britain's most unclaimed benefit — decoded.

Up to 910,000 eligible households do not claim Pension Credit — most because of myths about homes, savings and pensions. We explain the 2026/27 rates, the £10,000 savings rule, Savings Credit, Attendance Allowance, Winter Fuel Payment and every gateway benefit — with the math shown on every worked example.

10In-depth guides
£238.00Single guarantee / week
£363.25Couple guarantee / week
910,000Eligible but not claiming
01

Know the threshold

Guarantee Credit tops single incomes to £238.00 a week and couples to £363.25. It is a subtraction — threshold minus your income — not a flat payment. Most people are closer to the line than they think.

02

Bust the myths

Owning your home never counts. The first £10,000 of savings is ignored. The full State Pension is only £3.30 over the single threshold. Seven myths keep 910,000 households from claiming.

03

Claim the keyring

Any award — even £1 a week — unlocks Council Tax Reduction, the Warm Home Discount, a free TV licence at 75+, free NHS dental care and more. The award is the key, not the prize.

About this site

Pension Credit Decoded explains how the UK's main pensioner top-up actually works: how Guarantee Credit tops weekly income to £238.00 / £363.25, how the £10,000 savings rule and tariff income are calculated, who gets Savings Credit, how Attendance Allowance multiplies an award, what the Winter Fuel Payment pays, and every gateway benefit an award unlocks.

Every figure is dated and sourced: Pension Credit rates are the DWP's Benefit and pension rates 2026/27, Attendance Allowance rates are the April 2026 uprating, Winter Fuel Payment rules are GOV.UK's for winter 2026/27, and take-up figures are the DWP's October 2026 statistics. Figures checked October 2026.

Educational information only. Nothing here is financial, tax or legal advice for your situation. Benefit decisions are personal; base yours on the GOV.UK calculator and your own figures, and get free advice from Age UK or Citizens Advice where the sums are large. Questions about the site: hello [at] tapetoolhq.com

Frequently asked questions

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