Benefit News
Increase in the State Pension age
From 6 April 2010 the State Pension age for women is gradually increasing from 60 and will reach 65 by 2020.
Other age-related benefits, such as Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments, will also be affected. Women will be able to claim these benefits from the day they become entitled to State Pension. Men will be able to claim the benefits once they have reached the State Pension age of a women with the same date of birth.
The maximum age for claiming work related benefits such as, Jobseekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance will also increase.
How does this affect Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
There are two sets of rules for working out Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Those for people of working age and those of pension age. The leaflets Help with rent and Council Tax for people of working age and Help with rent and Council Tax for pensioners contain further information.
The minimum age to move from the working age rules to the pension age rules will increase from 60 in line with the new qualifying age for Pension Credit (State Pension age for women).
Future changes in the State Pension age
Plans are to gradually increase the State Pension age for both men and women from 65 to 68 between 2024 and 2046.
To find out your State Pension age use the State Pension age calculator.
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