Pension Credit Explained: Guarantee Credit vs Savings Credit (2026/27 Rates)
How Pension Credit works in 2026/27: Guarantee Credit tops weekly income up to £238 (£363.25 for couples), who can still get Savings Credit, the extra amounts, what else it unlocks and how to claim.
Golden Tree Accounting Updated 27 September 2026 4 min read On this page Show
Pension Credit is extra weekly money for people over State Pension age on a low income. It has two parts. Guarantee Credit tops your income up to a minimum level, and Savings Credit is a smaller extra amount that only people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 can get.
Quick answer: in 2026/27 Guarantee Credit tops your weekly income up to £238 if you are single, or £363.25 for a couple. Savings Credit is up to £17.96 a week (single) or £20.10 (couple), but only if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. Even a small award is worth claiming, because it unlocks help with Council Tax, housing costs, heating and NHS costs.
Figures on this page are from GOV.UK’s Pension Credit guide for the 2026/27 tax year. Rates normally change each April.
Who can get Pension Credit?
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. If you have a partner, you apply together and your income is worked out together. As a couple you are eligible if you have both reached State Pension age, or if one of you gets Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.
Savings do not rule you out automatically. Savings over £10,000 are treated as producing a small weekly income, so it is still worth checking.
Guarantee Credit: the main part
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to:
| Your situation | Weekly income is topped up to |
|---|---|
| Single | £238.00 |
| Couple | £363.25 |
You may get extra amounts on top:
| Extra amount | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Severe disability (for example if you get Attendance Allowance or the daily living part of PIP) | £86.05 |
| Caring for another adult (if you get Carer’s Allowance) | £48.15 |
| Each child or young person you are responsible for | £69.98 (£81.07 for the first child if born before 6 April 2017) |
There can also be help with housing costs, such as ground rent or service charges, and Support for Mortgage Interest if you own your home.
Savings Credit: only for people who reached State Pension age before April 2016
Savings Credit is a small extra payment for people who saved something for retirement, such as a personal or workplace pension. You can only get it if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
It is worth up to £17.96 a week if you are single, or £20.10 a week for a couple. You might get some Savings Credit even if you do not get Guarantee Credit.
If you reached State Pension age after that date, you can still get Guarantee Credit and the extra amounts. You just cannot get the Savings Credit part.
Why a small award is worth claiming
Getting any amount of Pension Credit can open the door to other help, including:
- Housing Benefit if you rent, or Support for Mortgage Interest if you own your home
- Council Tax Reduction
- Cold Weather Payments, which you get automatically
- a free TV licence if you are 75 or over
- help with NHS costs, such as prescriptions, dental treatment and glasses, if you get Guarantee Credit
How to claim Pension Credit
You can apply online through GOV.UK, or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). A friend or family member can call for you.
- You can apply up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age.
- A claim can be backdated by up to 3 months if you were eligible during that time.
- Have your National Insurance number, bank details and details of your income, savings, pensions and housing costs ready, for you and your partner.
If you are helping a parent or relative, our benefits and credits service can go through their income and pension details and help with the claim.
FAQ: Pension Credit
How much is Pension Credit in 2026/27?
Guarantee Credit tops weekly income up to £238 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple, with extra amounts for severe disability, caring and children.
Can I still get Savings Credit?
Only if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and saved something for retirement. It is up to £17.96 a week for a single person or £20.10 for a couple.
How far back can a claim be backdated?
Up to 3 months, if you were eligible during that time.
Sources
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