The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that the State Pension currently provides a regular financial income for 12.7 million older people across the country, including more than one million retirees living in Scotland. This payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is currently 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years' worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions.
However, people over 80 who have no Basic State Pension income or have a weekly income of less than £101.55 each week, could be due extra money to help them with daily living expenses. The ‘Over 80 Pension’ currently gives older people £101.
55 each week if they are receiving no Basic State Pension, or makes up the difference to that amount. People over 80 on a low income may also be eligible for Pension Credit , which provides on average more than £3,900 in extra financial support each year. From this year, the annual Winter Fuel Payment of £300 for those aged over 80, will only be made to people in receipt of income-related benefits such as Pension Credit.
New research from Age UK indicates four in every five pensioners living below or just above the poverty line will miss out on this year’s Winter Fuel Payment under the planned benefit cut. The charity said its analysis suggested 10.7m pensioners will lose the benefit, of whom almost one in four (23%) live in poverty, or just above the pover.
