Benefits available before State Pension age, 60 to 65
Between 60 and State Pension age (66, rising to 67 between May 2026 and March 2028 depending on your date of birth), most means-tested benefits still operate on working-age rules. Universal Credit, rather than Pension Credit, is the main income top-up route. The UC standard allowance for a single person aged 25 or over is £424.90/month in 2026/27.
Free prescriptions in England start at age 60, regardless of income or benefit status. Free NHS sight tests are available at 60 in most areas. Travel passes in England generally allow free bus travel from age 60 depending on the local authority scheme.
Pension Credit and pension-age benefits from 66
Once you reach State Pension age (66, rising to 67 between May 2026 and March 2028 depending on your date of birth), Pension Credit becomes the main means-tested route. It tops up weekly income to a minimum of £238.00 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple in 2026/27. Unlike Universal Credit, Pension Credit has no hard upper savings limit, savings under £10,000 are fully disregarded and there is no equivalent of UC's £16,000 stop-point.
A Pension Credit award, even a modest one, can unlock a wider package of support: maximum Council Tax Reduction, Cold Weather Payments, and NHS cost help including free dental treatment and sight tests. (The Winter Fuel Payment no longer depends on Pension Credit, although being entitled to Pension Credit in the qualifying week (21 to 27 September 2026) stops HMRC taking it back if your own total income is over £35,000.) The connected value of a small Pension Credit award often significantly exceeds the weekly top-up itself.
Attendance Allowance for over-60s with care needs
If you are over State Pension age and have a physical or mental health condition that means you need help with personal care, Attendance Allowance is worth checking. It pays £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) per week in 2026/27. It is non-means-tested, income and savings make no difference.
Receiving Attendance Allowance can also increase the amount of Pension Credit you receive through the Severe Disability Addition (£86.05/week extra in 2026/27, where no other adult lives with you, apart from people who don't count such as joint tenants, and no one is paid Carer's Allowance for looking after you). That makes claiming Attendance Allowance worth pursuing even if the direct weekly payment seems modest relative to other income.