On common, those that are eligible however not claiming are lacking round £50 per week.
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Hundreds of thousands of pensioners might be lacking out on 1000’s of kilos in additional monetary assist, with specialists warning some older persons are shedding £2,600 a yr. New evaluation from Age UK suggests round a million pensioners eligible for Pension Credit score aren’t claiming it, regardless of the profit topping up incomes and unlocking entry to different assist. Figures present that 38% of pensioner households who may declare Pension Credit score are lacking out, leaving a complete of £2.1billion in advantages unclaimed.
On common, those that are eligible however not claiming are lacking round £50 per week, equal to about £2,600 per yr. The charity says the scenario is especially regarding for older ladies, who usually tend to face monetary hardship in retirement. Age UK evaluation of Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) knowledge reveals the variety of feminine pensioners has fallen by 740,000 since 2010-11 following will increase within the State Pension age for girls.
Hundreds of thousands of pensioners might be lacking out on 1000’s of kilos in additional monetary assist (Picture: Getty)
Nonetheless, regardless of this variation, the variety of ladies dwelling in poverty has remained regular at round 1.1 million. The charity says this highlights a failure of coverage and follow that should be addressed.
Older ladies usually face decrease retirement incomes than males as a result of they’re extra more likely to have had decrease earnings, outing of the labour market or part-time work whereas elevating kids or caring for family.
The DWP estimates there are 470,000 single ladies who’re entitled to Pension Credit score however aren’t receiving it. That determine is much greater than the variety of single males lacking out (150,000) or pensioner {couples} (200,000).
Age UK is urging households to test whether or not older family could also be eligible, particularly as Mom’s Day approaches.
Pension Credit score boosts revenue to a minimal degree and can even act as a gateway to different assist, together with council tax reductions, assist with power payments and a free TV licence for folks aged over 75.
Caroline Abrahams CBE, charity director at Age UK, mentioned: “As Mom’s Day approaches, and with the Center East battle doubtlessly threatening greater costs for power and different necessities additional down the observe, there’ll by no means be a greater time for older ladies to test whether or not they’re lacking out on monetary entitlements that would ease their anxieties about making ends meet.
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“At Age UK we’re happy with the tens of millions in Pension Credit score and different advantages which we assist older folks to say every month, however it shouldn’t be right down to us to make sure they get their due. We urge the Authorities to maintain working at reforming the system, with the purpose of reaching a place wherein older folks can get the assistance they want with out having to leap by hoops and put in a declare. This may increasingly sound far-fetched however as know-how advances and Authorities knowledge techniques work collectively extra successfully than they do at this time, it ought to turn into attainable in time.
“Nonetheless, for now, the onus is on all of us to look out for the older ladies we all know as household and buddies, particularly in the event that they’re struggling financially, and encourage them to test their entitlements.
“Many older ladies are intensely self-reliant, reluctant to ask for assist, and aware that there are others who could also be worse off than they’re. That’s why some light prompting to look into their eligibility for Pension Credit score from these they belief is so essential. It may make the distinction between an older girl having to fret always about cash on the one hand, and dwelling a cushty and peaceable life on the opposite.
“Within the face of the newest worrying figures displaying Pension Credit score take up happening slightly than up, the Authorities should additionally clearly do extra to lift public consciousness and assist older males and older ladies who could also be eligible to say. There’s completely no room for complacency.”
The scenario is especially regarding for older ladies (Picture: Getty)
Age UK is urging pensioners to take three easy steps:
- Verify eligibility for Pension Credit score and different pensioner advantages
- Apply early – claims may be made as much as 4 months earlier than reaching State Pension age
- Encourage others to test, significantly anybody scuffling with power or meals prices
The charity says assist could make an enormous distinction. In January 2026, Age UK’s advantages crew carried out 538 profit entitlement checks, with 66% of individuals discovered to be eligible for added assist.
On common, the charity recognized £6,593 of additional annual revenue per individual for these eligible.
General, the Age UK Recommendation Line helped determine £3,205,092 in potential advantages for older folks in that single month.
The organisation says winter and rising dwelling prices are inserting rising stress on many older households.
Anybody fearful about funds can contact Age UK’s free Recommendation Line on 0800 169 6565, which is open 12 months a yr from 8am to 7pm, or go to the charity’s web site for additional info.
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