Pension Credit calculator
See whether Guarantee Credit could lift your weekly income up to the minimum for your household. Even a small award passports you to other help, so it is worth checking.
How the calculation works
Guarantee Credit works by topping up. The government sets a minimum weekly income for your household, higher if you have a severe disability or caring responsibilities. Your own income, from the State Pension, private pensions and any earnings, is added up and compared with that minimum. If your income is below it, Pension Credit pays the difference.
Savings are treated gently. The first £10,000 is ignored completely, and above that a deemed income of £1 a week is added for each £500. Because the scheme fills a gap rather than applying a hard cut-off, many people who assume they earn too much still qualify for a small award. That small award matters, because it opens the door to help with rent, Council Tax and other costs.
Worked example
A single pensioner with £190.00 a week of income and £4,000 in savings is compared with the £238.00 minimum. The savings are under £10,000, so they add nothing. The gap of about £48.00 a week is the estimated Guarantee Credit, roughly £2,496 over the year, plus the extra help it passports.
Common questions
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is a benefit for people over State Pension age on a low income. The Guarantee Credit part tops your weekly income up to a minimum, about £238 a week for a single person and £363.25 for a couple in 2026/27. There is a separate, smaller Savings Credit for some older pensioners.
Why claim it even for a small amount?
Because Pension Credit is a passport. Getting even a few pounds of Guarantee Credit can unlock help with rent, Council Tax, a free TV licence if you are 75 or over, help with NHS costs, and the Winter Fuel Payment. That extra help is often worth far more than the Pension Credit itself.
Do my savings stop me claiming?
There is no fixed savings limit for Pension Credit. The first £10,000 of savings is ignored. Above £10,000 a "deemed" income of £1 a week is added for each £500 over that line, which slightly raises your counted income. So savings reduce the award gradually rather than cutting it off.
What is Savings Credit?
Savings Credit is an extra amount that rewards people who saved a little for retirement. It is only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. It is modest, but if you qualify it is worth claiming alongside the Guarantee Credit. This tool estimates the Guarantee Credit only.
Can a couple claim?
Yes, but a couple must usually both have reached State Pension age to make a new claim. If one of you is under that age you would normally look at Universal Credit as a couple instead. The couple figures in this tool assume both of you are over State Pension age.