State Pension is a benefit that provides financial aid each month for 12.6 million people across the country, including approximately one million in Scotland.
This payment is worth up to £185.15 per week for the New State Pension, or £141.85 per week for the older Basic State Pension (Category A or B), reports the Daily Record.
This is available for those who have reached the eligible retirement age, set by the UK Government, which was increased to 66 back in October 2020.
However, there have been two further increases set out in law, which are currently under review by the Government.
READ MORE Nicola Sturgeon confirms resignation as Scotland's First Minister after more than eight years
This includes a gradual rise to 67 for those born on or after April 1960, and a gradual rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046 for those born on or after April 1977.
Recent reports have suggested, however, that this may be brought forward to the late 2030's.
For anyone approaching the official age of retirement this year, you should know which benefits continue once you hit the State Pension age. You should also be aware of new ones you may now qualify for and those you can no longer make a new claim for.
Your State Pension age is the same as your Pension Credit age. This doesn't apply to men born before December 6, 1953.
You can check your State Pension age and whether you can start claiming Pension Credit on the 'Check your State Pension age' page of the GOV.UK website.
Read on below to find out more about which benefits stop when you hit State Pension age, which ones begin and ones you can claim for.
Benefits affected by your pension age
Pension Credit age
When you reach State Pension age you can no longer claim:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
Experts at Turn2us advise: "If you live with a partner and one of you is pension age and the other is not yet pension age, benefit entitlement can be complicated."
Use the Turn2us benefit calculator to see what benefits you’re can claim.
State Pension age
When you reach State Pension age you can no longer claim:
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You also cannot make a new claim for the following:
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - the new disability benefit replacing PIP for people in Scotland
However, if you were already receiving DLA, PIP, or ADP you can renew the claim even though you are over State Pension age. This can only be done as long as you are claiming for the same health conditions that you received the award for and your last claim ended less than 12 months before you reached State Pension age.
Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance are also not available once you reach State Pension age.
Benefits not affected by your State Pension age
You can claim the following benefits even if you are over State Pension age:
- Child Benefit (delivered by HMRC)
- Carer’s Allowance - you may not be eligible for the full financial element depending on your income from State Pension
- Guardian’s Allowance
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
You can also claim these benefits even if you are over State Pension age, but only if you meet the benefit-specific income threshold:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Working Tax Credit (HMRC) - you can't make new claims for this, but if you're already getting it you can carry on receiving it
- Child Tax Credit (HMRC)- you can't make new claims for this, but if you're already getting it you can carry on receiving it
- Help with Health Costs
- Cold Weather Payment - now replaced by new £50 payment in Scotland from February 2023
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Winter Fuel Payment
For more information on benefits, and how to claim them, visit the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website now.
READ NEXT:
Strictly star Will Mellor visits Glasgow's Swadish and describes food as 'top'
Scotland’s Greatest Escape will 'open eyes' to hidden gems and unique holiday destinations
Love Island: Glasgow singleton to shake up villa in 'top secret' move
Happy Valley: Two Doors Down star goes viral after 'spot on' impression of hit TV show
Dog's Trust Glasgow appeal for new owners for Jax and Tigger this Valentine's Day
