Full list of benefits, discounts and seasonal payments only available for people over State Pension age.Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that there are now 13 million people across Great Britain eligible for State Pension payments of up to £230.25 each week. Basic and New State Pensions are contributory benefits which provide crucial financial support to those who have paid at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance Contributions.

However, just 4.1m of the overall total are receiving the full rate of the New State Pension (retired after April 2016). Some 8.8m older people are on the Basic State Pension (retired before 2016) and receiving payments of up to £176.45 each week, although this may be topped up by Additional State Pension payments for men born before 1951 and women before April 1953.

Many pensioners may be unaware of a dozen ways they might be able to boost their current income. This can be done through age-related benefits delivered by the DWP or Social Security Scotland, claiming discounts on annual Council Tax bills and getting extra help with winter heating costs.

READ MORE: DWP cost of living support helps 1.5 million pensioners and low-income households with winter billsREAD MORE: DWP income boost for people working after reaching State Pension age

To make it easier for people to understand and claim these benefits, discounts or reductions, the MoneyHelper website has compiled a comprehensive list along with quick eligibility checks to ensure older people are accessing essential support in later life.

It’s also worth noting that dedicated older people’s charities such as Independent Age and Age UK offer free, confidential and impartial advice on accessing additional financial help.

The easiest way to check eligibility for any benefit, discount or reduction is to use an online benefits calculator – find out more about these on the Age UK website.

If you have an older family member or friend who does not have access to the internet, or is not familiar with using a computer, give them a hand to ensure they are not missing out on additional financial support.

State Pension Rates 2026/27

Full New State Pension

Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)Four-weekly pay period: £965.20Annual amount: £12,547

Full Basic State Pension

Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)Four-weekly pay period: £739.60Annual amount: £9,614

Other State Pension rates

Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)

The new payment rates will start on April 6.

Benefits for people over State Pension age

Benefits and discounts available in retirement include:

State PensionPension CreditHelp with Council TaxHelp with heating costs – eligibility for some may require a relevant qualifying means-tested benefitHealth benefits – Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability PaymentTravel and TV benefitsBenefits for war widows and widowersState Pension

The State Pension gives you a regular taxable income for the rest of your life as soon as you reach State Pension age and make a claim for it. Some people choose to defer this while they continue to work.

It’s not means-tested, but the amount you get depends on how many qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions or credits you’ve built up. You need at least 10 years’ for any State Pension payment and around 35 for the maximum amount – this may be more for people who were ‘contracted out’, find out more here.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit currently gives 1.4m people across the UK – including over 125,000 in Scotland – extra money to help with living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It is a ‘passport’ benefit providing on average around £4,300 this year in financial support, acting as a ‘gateway’ to Council Tax discounts, help with housing costs and NHS discounts along with free TV Licences for the over-75s.

Try the Pension Credit Calculator on GOV.UK for yourself or a family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to. You can also call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234.

Help with Council Tax

Whether you own your home or rent, you could be eligible for support from your local authority to help you pay your Council Tax. Contact your local council to ask about support with Council Tax – find out more on MYGOV.SCOT.

Insulation and heating schemes

There are a number of schemes that install insulation and heating improvements to make your home more energy efficient. You’re likely to be eligible if your home is poorly insulated or doesn’t have a working central heating system, and if you receive any of a range of income-related benefits including Pension Credit.

Find out more from Home Energy Scotland here or by calling 0808 808 2282.

Health benefits

Everyone in Scotland is entitled to free prescriptions. Find out more about free dental treatment and refunds for travel to hospital appointments here.

Disability and care benefits

A number of benefits are available to people who have disabilities, long-term health conditions or specific care needs.

These benefits include:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – you can only claim this if you are under State Pension age and if you reached State Pension age while claiming PIP this will continue until the next award reviewAdult Disability Payment – this has replaced PIP for people living in ScotlandDisability Living Allowance (DLA) – you will need to have been already claiming this before you reached State Pension ageAttendance Allowance – if you’re over State Pension age and have not claimed DLA or PIPPension Age Disability Payment (PADP) – a new benefit that has replaced Attendance Allowance in Scotland – find out more here.

We have dedicated sections on the Daily Record website for each of these benefits:

Travel concessions

If you are over 60 or disabled find out about travel concessions on the Transport Scotland website here.

Free passport

If you were born on or before September 2, 1929, and are a British national, you could be eligible for a free passport. Find out more and how to apply on the GOV.UK website here.

Free / Discounted TV Licence

You now have to pay for your TV licence unless you are getting Pension Credit. People over State Pension age may be able to get the TV Licence for half price if they are registered as severely sight-impaired or blind.

Check out the MoneyHelper Advice Service TV licence guide here to find out if you’re eligible.

Benefits for war widows and widowers

If your husband, wife or civil partner died or were injured or became ill as a result of their service in Her Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces, or during a time of war before April 6, 2005, you might be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.

If they died or sustained an injury or illness due to serving in a conflict after April 6, 2005, you might be entitled to compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

Find out more about War widows and widowers’ pensions and compensation on the GOV.UK website here.

Medical costs for war pensioners

If you need medical treatment because you were disabled while serving in the Armed Forces, you could get help towards your medical costs for your accepted disability.

War Disablement Pension

If you were injured or disabled while serving in the Armed Forces before April 6, 2005, you can get extra help towards your pension. Find out more about War Disablement Pension on the GOV.UK website here .

Age Scotland also have a full list of benefits, discounts and support older people may be entitled to claim, find out more on their website here.

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