900,000 UK Pensioners Miss Out on Pension Credit

Nearly one million eligible pensioners in the United Kingdom are forgoing thousands of pounds in vital financial support through unclaimed Pension Credit, according to the latest Department for Work and Pensions data highlighted by financial expert Martin Lewis.

The figures, released by the DWP, indicate that around 900,000 individuals out of 2.3 million who qualify are not receiving the benefit, which provides a weekly income top-up for those of state pension age with low earnings. For single pensioners, the standard rate guarantees at least 238 pounds per week, while couples where both partners have reached state pension age receive 363.25 pounds combined. Eligibility considers total income from sources such as state pensions, private pensions, work, and benefits, with savings over 10,000 pounds treated as generating additional weekly income. The benefit was uprated in April by 3.8 percent, reflecting September's inflation rate, potentially making more people newly eligible.

Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, drew attention to the issue in a post on X on April 13, urging followers to spread the word. "PENSION CREDIT CAN BE WORTH 1,000s YET 900,000 ELIGIBLE ARE MISSING OUT,"...