State pensioners are being handed an extra £483 cash boost on top of their regular state pension payments from April.
Along with the triple lock boost, Pension Credit has been given an increase to its payments from April 2027, as confirmed in the Autumn Budget by John Healey. Pension Credit, unlike the main part of the state pension, does not get automatically uprated by the triple lock but is increased by wage growth.
This year, wage growth was 3.9%, and now the Treasury has confirmed that this will result in a £9.30 per week boost to Pension Credit, or £483.60 per year, for a single state pensioner. For a couple, the increase is up £14.15 to £377.40 per week.
Pension Credit is a pension-age benefit which increases your weekly income if you’re below a certain level.
While the basic new state pension maxes out at £241.30 (which will go up to £250), this is only for those with a full National Insurance record. Some who have less than this in their weekly payments will be able to claim Pension Credit to top up the difference to close to the same as the full state pension anyway.
It is means tested, so those who have other income such as savings, salary or property income will not be able to claim it if they exceed the threshold to claim.
Older state pensioners can benefit too, as they get less in their weekly state pension payments (£192 per week as of April even with a full National Insurance record) so can use Pension Credit to top up most of the difference to the new state pension.
According to savings firm Raisin, the benefit is underclaimed too, meaning many out there who could get it are still not receiving it.
It says: “Pension Credit is a tax-free financial benefit for pensioners who are on a low income. However, many people don’t realise they’re eligible to claim it.
“According to the Department for Work and Pensions, in 2025, approximately 1.7% of eligible people failed to claim Pension Credit, worth a total of £100m.”
Pension Credit is also a ‘gateway benefit’ which can allow you access to various other benefits, handouts and discounts, such as a free TV Licence, a Council Tax discount, the Warm Home discount, Housing Benefit and free NHS eyecare and dental care.
