Thousands of Over-80s Missing Out on £422 Monthly Pension Top-Up
Older pensioners across the UK may be missing out on hundreds of pounds each month due to a little-known benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The over-80 pension, officially called the Category D non-contributory pension, can boost state pension income by up to £422.80 per month for eligible individuals aged 80 and over.
What Is the Over-80 Pension?
The over-80 pension is designed for people who reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016 and who do not qualify for the full basic State Pension. This includes men born before April 6, 1951, and women born before April 6, 1953. Currently, the maximum payment is £105.70 per week, paid every four weeks alongside existing State Pension payments, totaling approximately £422.80 monthly or £5,496.40 annually.
Upcoming Increase in Payments
From April, the weekly rate is set to rise to £110.75, providing eligible pensioners with an extra £5.05 per week. This increase will elevate monthly payments to about £443, or roughly £5,759 per year, offering significant financial relief during retirement.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the over-80 pension, individuals must meet specific requirements:
- Be aged 80 or over.
- Receive less than £105.70 per week in basic State Pension, or no basic State Pension at all.
- Have reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016.
This benefit is not available to those who reached State Pension age on or after that date. Unlike the standard State Pension, eligibility is not based on National Insurance contributions but on residency rules. Claimants must have lived in the UK for at least 10 years out of a 20-year period, including either the day before their 80th birthday or any day after, or have been ordinarily resident in the UK, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar on their 80th birthday or when making the claim.
How Much Could You Receive?
The amount paid depends on the existing basic State Pension income. The DWP tops up income to £105.70 per week. For example, an 80-year-old receiving £43 weekly in basic State Pension would get an extra £62.70 per week, bringing their total to £105.70. This results in around £422.80 monthly. It is important to note that the over-80 pension counts as taxable income and may affect entitlement to other benefits.
How to Apply
Applications can be made by requesting a claim form from a local Jobcentre Plus or by contacting the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898. The earliest a claim can be submitted is three months before a person’s 80th birthday, or at any time thereafter. The DWP is urging older pensioners and their families to check eligibility, as thousands may be missing out on this valuable extra income that could significantly enhance household finances during retirement.
