How do I work out how much Pension Credit I could get?

For people over State Pension age checking how much Pension Credit they could get.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

You can use the official Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK to get an estimate.

In 2026/27 Guarantee Credit tops up weekly income to £238 if you are single, or £363.25 for a couple.
Extra amounts can be added for severe disability (£86.05) or caring (£48.15).
Savings of £10,000 or less do not affect it. Above that, every £500 counts as £1 a week of income.
Savings Credit of up to £17.96 a week (single) is only for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
The calculator is not a claim. You still need to apply.

Key facts

Single: tops up to £238 a week
Couple: tops up to £363.25 a week
Savings over £10,000: £1 per £500
Calculator is not a claim

Pension Credit rates for 2026/27

These rates apply from April 2026 to April 2027.

Part	Single	Couple
Guarantee Credit (income topped up to)	£238.00 a week	£363.25 a week
Extra for severe disability	£86.05 a week	£86.05 (one qualifies) or £172.10 (both)
Extra for carers	£48.15 a week	£48.15 a week each, if you both qualify
Savings Credit maximum	£17.96 a week	£20.10 a week

Savings Credit is only for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.

How to work it out yourself

Add up your weekly income. Include State Pension, other pensions, earnings and most benefits. Do not include Attendance Allowance, Adult Disability Payment or Child Benefit.
Add income from savings. The first £10,000 is ignored. For each £500 above that, add £1 a week.
Work out your target amount. Start with £238 (single) or £363.25 (couple). Add any extra amounts you qualify for.
Take your income away from the target. What is left is your weekly Guarantee Credit.

Worked example 1: single person

Jean gets the old basic State Pension of £184.90 a week and a small private pension of £20 a week. Her savings are under £10,000.

Income: £184.90 + £20 = £204.90
Pension Credit: £238.00 minus £204.90 = £33.10 a week
That is about £1,721 a year (£33.10 x 52 = £1,721.20)

Worked example 2: extra for severe disability

Raj is single and gets the full new State Pension of £241.30 a week. He also gets the daily living part of PIP, which does not count as income. If he qualifies for the severe disability amount:

Target: £238.00 + £86.05 = £324.05
Pension Credit: £324.05 minus £241.30 = £82.75 a week
That is £331 every 4 weeks (£82.75 x 4)

Without the extra amount, Raj would get no Guarantee Credit, because his income is above £238.

Worked example 3: a couple with savings

Ann and Bill have joint pensions of £340 a week and £12,500 in savings.

Savings over £10,000: £2,500, which counts as £5 a week (£2,500 divided by £500)
Income: £340 + £5 = £345
Guarantee Credit: £363.25 minus £345 = £18.25 a week

If either of them reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, they may also get some Savings Credit on top.

Use the official calculator

The GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator asks questions about your circumstances and gives an estimate. Have details of earnings, benefits, pensions, savings and investments ready, for you and your partner. It is not a claim and will not affect any claim you make. Even a small award is worth claiming, because Pension Credit can unlock other help such as Housing Benefit and a Council Tax Reduction.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Pension Credit works the same way in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, Pension Credit is run by the Northern Ireland Pension Centre, and nidirect points to the same GOV.UK calculator.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Use the Pension Credit calculator

Common questions

Is the calculator the same as applying?

No. It only gives an estimate and does not affect any claim you make.

Does Attendance Allowance count as income?

No. Attendance Allowance, Adult Disability Payment and Child Benefit are among the benefits that do not count.

What if my income is just over £238 a week?

You may still qualify if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings or have housing costs.

Official sources

1.Pension Credit calculatorwww.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator
2.Pension Credit: what you'll getwww.gov.uk/pension-credit/what-youll-get
3.Pension Credit: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility
4.Get a Pension Credit estimate (nidirect)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/get-pension-credit-estimate

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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