News - Pension boost for some over 80s
A little known pension could provide extra income for people over 80 who have not worked and paid National Insurance contributions in the UK for long enough to get the basic state pension. The special pension, technically known as a Category D pension, can be paid to people aged 80 or more who live in the UK. they will have lived in the UK for 10 years between the ages of 60 and 80. But they can also qualify if they have lived in the UK for a total of 10 years in any period of 20 years in the past. Living in the Union may help fulfil this condition. The over 80s pension is 47.65 a week. But it is not paid on top of any other basic state pension, so it only gives more money to people who have a state pension of less than that. The over 80s pension will bring their pension up to that level. It will not normally help people who already get pension credit. It is paid to men and women, and is the same whether you are married or single; and can be paid regardless of whether people have worked or paid National Insurance contributions. Do you qualify? The people who may benefit will have a basic state pension of less than 47.65 a week. Examples of people who may be in that category are: The extra pension will count as income when entitlement to pension credit and other benefits is worked out. The over 80s pension is currently paid to 17,600 women and 5,500 men. About 1000 of them are over 100 years old. You can claim it from the Pension Service on 0845 300 1084.
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