Benefit changes affecting pensioners

The following page gives details of how benefit changes may affect pensioners. If you or your partner are over the qualifying age for State Pension Credit, you will not be affected by the majority of changes.

To find out when you will reach State Pension Credit age please visit GOV.UK - Check your State Pension age

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Benefit rates freeze

From April 2016, most working age benefits were frozen for four years. Pensioner benefits are excluded from the freeze and will be protected by the triple lock.

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Pension Credit limited when you are outside of the country

From April 2016 you will no longer be able to claim Pension Credit payments if you are out of the country for more than four weeks. At present you can receive Pension Credit for up to 13 weeks whilst abroad.