State pensioners born before 1959 are being handed a string of benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ). It comes as the DWP increases the rates of the New and Basic State Pension for those who are turning state pension age this year.
The weekly payment rates for the State Pension in 2024/25 are, for the Full New State Pension, £221.20 (rising to £230.25), and for the Full Basic State Pension (Category A or B), £169.50 (rising to £176.45).
To get the full new State Pension (currently £221.20 a week), you’ll likely need at least 35 qualifying NI years (though some will need many more). Crucially, you don’t have to start from scratch from 6 April 2016 – any qualifying years earned before this date will count along with later years.
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To get some of the new State Pension, you need at least 10 qualifying NI years. If you have that many or more, you’ll get the equivalent value of the State Pension according to the total number of years you’ve built up.
State Pension – £230
You get your State Pension – a retirement income from the Government – in exchange for paying National Insurance throughout your working life (or by qualifying for National Insurance credits). The triple lock ensures that the State Pension doesn’t lose value over time, and in practical terms, guarantees that every year it will rise by the highest of average earnings, inflation (measured by the Consumer Prices Index) or 2.5%.
You receive the State Pension when you reach the Government’s official retirement age. What that is depends on when you were born. The current State Pension age is 66 for both men and women.
To cut costs, the official retirement age is gradually being raised. It has increased to 66 for men and women since April 2020, then it will rise to 67 by 2028, with a further rise to 68 due between 2044 and 2046.
Pension Credit – £4,200
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced that Pension Credit is worth an average of £4,200 per year. Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit that provides a weekly top-up for people of State Pension age who fall below an income threshold. The amount received depends on income, but on average single claimants get £58 a week with couples receiving £80.
Help with Council Tax – £2,171
“If you have reached the age for State Pension Credit you may be able to get Council Tax Support to cover all your bill. However, we will treat you as working-age and only eligible for help with up to 85% of your bill, if you or your partner get any of these benefits: Income Support. income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance,” the Manchester City Council said.
The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2024-25 will be £2,171, which is an increase of £106 or 5.1% on the 2023-24 figure of £2,065. This includes all precepts including adult social care and parish precepts.
Disability and care benefits – £5,644
State pensioners can also receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – you will need to have been already claiming this before you reached State Pension age, Adult Disability Payment – replacing PIP for people living in Scotland, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – if you’re under State Pension age, if you reached State Pension age while claiming PIP this will continue, or Attendance Allowance – if you’re over State Pension age and have not claimed DLA or PIP.
The 2024/2025 higher rate of Attendance Allowance has increased to £108.55 per week, and the lower rate has increased to £72.65 per week. Each year, you could receive £5,644.60 for the higher rate and £3,777.80 for the lower rate.
Free passport – £88
British citizens born on or before September 2, 1929 can get or renew a passport for free. This is because they were 16 or older when World War II ended, and the scheme was introduced in 2004 to commemorate their wartime efforts. You can check your state pension age on GOV.UK. The age you qualify for a state pension depends on when you were born, and may be up to 66.
You can also apply for a National Concessionary Travel Pass if you qualify for state pension and are eligible. In Manchester, you can contact Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) for information on eligibility and how to apply.
Free / Discounted TV Licence – £169
You must be over 75 years old and receive Pension Credit, which can be either Guarantee Credit, Savings Credit, or both. You can apply for a free TV licence from age 74. You’ll need to provide evidence that you receive Pension Credit. You can upload a copy or photo of: Passport (photo page), Driving Licence, Birth Certificate, EU/EEA National Identity Card.
If you’re over 75 and you pay for your TV licence, you’ll be issued a refund if you’re due one. You can also get a discounted TV licence if you’re blind or in residential care.You don’t need a TV licence to watch: Streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus, On-demand TV through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video, Videos on websites like YouTube, Videos or DVDs.
You can call the free advice line on 0800 678 1602 for support.
Benefits for war widows and widowers
If your spouse or civil partner died, was injured, or became ill due to their service in Her Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces, or during a time of war prior to 6 April 2005, you could be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
If they died or sustained an injury or illness due to serving in a conflict after 6 April 2005, you might be entitled to compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. More details about War widows and widowers’ pensions and compensation can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Medical costs for war pensioners are also covered. If you require medical treatment because you were disabled while serving in the Armed Forces, you could get help towards your medical costs for your accepted disability.
War Disablement Pension – £12,262
If you sustained an injury or disability while serving in the Armed Forces prior to April 6, 2005, you may be eligible for additional pension support. More information about the War Disablement Pension can be found on the GOV.UK.
The amount of War Disablement Pension you receive depends on your assessment percentage. For officers, the weekly rate for April 2024 is £12,262 and for other ranks, the weekly rate is £235. A person may be eligible for a War Disablement Pension if they were injured or have health problems as a result of their service in the Armed Forces. The injury or health condition does not have to be sustained as a result of warfare