State Pension

Over 80 Pension

What is it?

Over 80 Pension is a non-contributory pension for people aged 80 or over with little or no State Pension.

Can I get it?

Are you:

  • Aged 80 or over?
  • Not getting a State Pension or you are getting less than a full State Pension because you have not paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions?
  • Currently living in England, Scotland or Wales.

If you answered YES to these questions, and you have lived in Great Britain for a total of 10 years or more in any continuous period of 20 years before or after your 80th birthday, you could claim the Over 80 Pension.

What else should I know?

If you only get a reduced State Pension, you may get more money if you claim an Over 80 Pension. The maximum amount of Over 80 Pension you can get is set at about 60% of the State Pension.

How much will I get?

Only use the amount shown as a guide. The rules for benefits mean that your individual circumstances may affect the amount you get. This means you will not always be able to work out exactly how much you will get by using these amounts.

Weekly amount: £57.05 from 2009/10.

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How do I claim?

You will usually be sent a claim form for State Pension four months before you reach State Pension age. If you have not received one three months before you reach State Pension age, get in touch with The Pension Service.

For other benefits, claim straight away. If you delay you may lose benefit.

It is important that we can be sure of your identity when you make a claim. We may need to ask you about your background and look at any official documents you have to support the information you give. For more information, you can read or print the following leaflet from the Directgov website - GL25 How to prove your identity for social security.

What happens if?

I go into hospital or someone I claim for goes into hospital?
You must tell The Pension Service as soon as you go into or come out of hospital. You must also tell them if someone you get benefit for goes into hospital.

From April 2006 your weekly State Pension is not affected by being in hospital, even if it is for longer than 52 weeks.

I go to live abroad or visit?
You can continue to get your Over 80 Pension anywhere in the world, but in some countries you may not be able to get the yearly increase in your payments.Contact The Pension Service as soon as you know you are going abroad. You can get more information about benefits agreements with other countries on the Department for Work and Pensions website. You can also read the frequently asked questions about living overseas

I am part of a service family living abroad or visiting?
The rules for going abroad are the same as for anyone else going abroad. See above.

More information

You can read or print a number of guides and forms from this website. You can also ask for copies to be sent to you in the post. See the Guides and Forms section in our resource centre.

Have you heard about Pension Credit?

Other help

Attendance Allowance on the Directgov website
Christmas Bonus on the Directgov website
Cold Weather Payment on the Jobcentre Plus website
Income Support on the Jobcentre Plus website
State Pension
Winter Fuel Payment
Pension Credit
Direct Payments

Remember that this website is only a general guide to benefits and schemes, and is not a full and authoritative statement of the law.

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