Pension Credit rates for 2027/28 are not yet confirmed and will not be set until the autumn 2026 uprating announcement (normally made to Parliament in November, ahead of the following April). Any 2027/28 figure quoted anywhere — including estimates on this page — should be treated as provisional until DWP publishes the official rates. If you think you may be eligible now, it is worth claiming at today’s confirmed 2026/27 rates rather than waiting.
Last reviewed: September 2026. 2027/28 Pension Credit rates will be confirmed in autumn 2026. This page shows the confirmed, currently-in-force 2026/27 rates as the most reliable reference point and will be updated with 2027/28 figures once DWP announces them.
Pension Credit Rates — Confirmed 2026/27 (Current Tax Year)
| Weekly rate (2026/27) | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantee Credit — single | £238.00 | £12,376 |
| Guarantee Credit — couple | £363.25 | £18,889 |
| Savings Credit — single (max) | £17.96 | £934 |
| Savings Credit — couple (max) | £20.10 | £1,045 |
2027/28 rates are provisional and will be confirmed in the autumn 2026 uprating statement — check back nearer April 2027 before relying on any forecast figure.
Additional Amounts (Guarantee Credit)
Extra amounts added to the Guarantee Credit for specific circumstances, confirmed for 2026/27:
| Additional element | Weekly amount (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Severe disability (single) | £86.05 |
| Severe disability (couple, one qualifying) | £86.05 |
| Severe disability (couple, both qualifying) | £172.10 |
| Carer addition | £48.15 |
These are typically uprated each April in line with CPI inflation. 2027/28 amounts are provisional pending the autumn 2026 announcement.
What Benefits Pension Credit Unlocks
| Benefit | Condition |
|---|---|
| Free TV Licence | Must be 75+ and on Pension Credit |
| Housing Benefit | If renting — up to full Local Housing Allowance |
| Council Tax Reduction | Up to 100% reduction |
| NHS dental treatment | Free |
| NHS glasses | Voucher towards cost |
| Hospital travel costs | Refunded |
| Winter Fuel Payment | £100–£300 depending on age/household — now paid to all of State Pension age, clawed back by HMRC above £35,000 income; Pension Credit helps protect lower-income pensioners |
| Cold Weather Payment | £25 per qualifying 7-day cold spell |
| Free school meals | For grandchildren in your care |
This makes Pension Credit one of the highest-value benefits to claim — even if you only qualify for £1/week.
How Savings Affect Pension Credit
| Savings | Impact on Pension Credit |
|---|---|
| Under £10,000 | No impact |
| £10,001–£10,500 | Assumed to generate £1/week income |
| £20,000 | Assumed £20/week additional income |
| £50,000 | Assumed £80/week additional income |
(Every £500 above £10,000 = £1/week assumed income. There is no upper savings limit — Pension Credit does not stop at any capital level, unlike Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, which cut off at £16,000.)
How to Claim Pension Credit
- Phone: 0800 99 1234 (Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm)
- Online: gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim
- By post: Pension Credit claim form (obtainable by calling)
- Can be backdated up to 3 months if eligible
Why Pension Credit Is Under-Claimed
Pension Credit has long been significantly under-claimed, with hundreds of thousands of eligible households not claiming it — often because they do not know they qualify or assume the benefit is only for those with no income at all. In reality, Pension Credit tops up income to the Guarantee Credit level, meaning anyone with a weekly income below £238.00 (single) or £363.25 (couple) in 2026/27 may qualify.
Key reasons people miss out:
- Assuming a small private pension or savings disqualifies them
- Believing the application is complex
- Not knowing about Pension Credit’s role in triggering other benefits
Even £1 per week of Pension Credit can unlock a free TV Licence, help avoid the Winter Fuel Payment clawback, and unlock Council Tax Reduction — potentially worth thousands of pounds per year.
What Income Counts (and What Does Not)
| Counts as income | Does NOT count |
|---|---|
| State Pension | Attendance Allowance |
| Private/workplace pension | Personal Independence Payment (PIP) |
| Savings income above £10,000 (tariff) | Disability Living Allowance (DLA) |
| Rental income | Council Tax Reduction |
| Employment income | Housing Benefit |
| Most benefits (e.g. Carer’s Allowance) | War Disablement Pension (partially) |
Capital (savings and investments) under £10,000 is completely ignored. Savings above £10,000 reduce your Pension Credit by a tariff of £1/week per £500 over the threshold.
Backdating and Claiming Urgently
Pension Credit can be backdated by up to 3 months. This means if you are eligible today, claiming now can result in a lump sum covering the past quarter. The Pension Credit helpline (0800 99 1234) can process claims quickly — advisers will help gather the information needed.