Pension Credit 2026/27: Eligibility, Amounts & Savings Rule

Pension Credit 2026/27: who qualifies and how it interacts with voluntary NI

Pension Credit is a means-tested top-up for people over State Pension age on a low income. It matters for voluntary NI because a higher State Pension can reduce Pension Credit pound for pound.

Written and source-checked by Muhammad Asif, ACA affiliate · Published 31 October 2026

Short answer

Pension Credit tops up weekly income to £238 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple in 2026/27, if you have reached State Pension age (both partners in most couples). The first £10,000 of savings is ignored; each £500 above that counts as £1 a week of income. If you expect to receive Pension Credit, extra State Pension bought with voluntary NI may simply reduce your Pension Credit, so check before paying.

Who can claim

You must have reached State Pension age.
If you have a partner, in most cases you both need to have reached State Pension age (or one of you gets Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age).
You must live in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has its own scheme.
Savings Credit is only for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.

Worked example

A single person has a State Pension of £200 a week, no other income and £12,000 in savings. Savings above £10,000 are £2,000, which counts as £4 a week. Assessed income is £204, so Guarantee Credit tops it up by £34 a week to £238.

If that person had bought a voluntary NI year adding £6.89 a week, their State Pension would be £206.89, assessed income £210.89, and Pension Credit £27.11. Total income would be the same £238: the voluntary contribution would not have made them better off while they qualify for Pension Credit. Someone with a full new State Pension of £241.30 is above the standard minimum and would usually only qualify through extra amounts, for example for disability, caring or housing costs.

Why Pension Credit is worth claiming

Even a small award can unlock other help, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and a free TV licence for people aged 75 or over. Use GOV.UK's Pension Credit calculator to check.

Common mistakes

Buying voluntary NI without checking the Pension Credit effect.
Assuming savings above £10,000 rule you out completely.
Not claiming because the expected amount is small.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Pension Credit in 2026/27?

It tops up weekly income to £238 for a single person and £363.25 for a couple, before any extra amounts for disability, caring or housing costs.

Do savings stop me getting Pension Credit?

Not automatically. The first £10,000 is ignored and every £500 above that counts as £1 a week of income.

Should I pay voluntary NI if I will get Pension Credit?

Check first. Extra State Pension can reduce Pension Credit by the same amount, so you may not be better off.

Sources

Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year and were checked against GOV.UK on 31 October 2026.

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Which official service should you contact?

Contribution eligibility, payment and pension benefit are separate questions. Use the official route appropriate to your situation.

HMRC: ask which contributions you may pay, the exact price, application or transitional conditions, payment reference and allocation. Check overseas eligibility and application guidance.

Below State Pension age: use the Future Pension Centre to check whether a particular payment increases your pension, subject to its service scope.

At State Pension age: use the Pension Service. If you have lived or worked abroad and are at, or within six months of, State Pension age, follow the International Pension Centre route.

Do not send us your NI number, login details, bank details or private pension records.