Those who have paid into the state pension will be able to claim this payment as soon as they reach state pension age. Depending on when the pensioner was born, they will either get the basic or new state pension. On top of this weekly payment, some pensioners may get other payments from other means, such as a private pension. However, many pensioners could be missing out an an extra sum of money by not claiming pension credit.
State pension UK: Pension credit can help you get hundreds extra each year
This is an additional benefit some people may be able to claim after they retire and it is based on the pensioners' income.
Pension credit is split into two parts, Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit, and are paid depending on circumstance.
To qualify for these, the pensioner must live in England, Scotland or Wales and they must have reached state pension age.
Both forms of the payment is a top up for those who need it.
