If you’re aged 80 or over, you may be entitled to a significant top‑up from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of up to £105.70 per week.
This extra payment—known as the “over‑80 pension”—fills the gap between your current basic State Pension and this maximum threshold, offering valuable financial support in the 2025–26 tax year.
What Is the Over‑80 Pension?
The over‑80 pension is a non‑means‑tested weekly top‑up designed for pensioners aged 80+, aimed at ensuring they receive at least £105.70 per week in total basic pension support during the 2025–26 tax year.
If your basic State Pension is less than that—or non-existent—you may qualify for the difference. For instance, someone receiving just £43 per week could get an extra £62.70, bringing them up to the full £105.70 weekly.
Eligibility Criteria and Key Details
| Eligibility Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Requirement | You must be aged 80 or over. |
| Basic State Pension | Must be less than £105.70/week, or you must receive no basic State Pension at all. |
| Top‑Up Amount | You receive the difference up to £105.70/week—e.g., if receiving £43/week, you get £62.70 extra. |
| Annual Maximum Increase | Up to £5,496.40 per year additional income. |
| NI Contributions Not Required | Your eligibility is not based on National Insurance contributions, unlike basic State Pension. |
| Residency Requirements | Must have been a UK resident for at least 10 years out of the preceding 20, which must include the day before or after your 80th birthday. |
| Ordinary Residence | Must have been ordinarily resident in the UK, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday (or claim date, if later). |
| Claim Timing | You can claim up to three months before your 80th birthday, or afterwards. |
| Tax & Benefits Impact | The top‑up is taxable income and may affect entitlement to other benefits. |
| Exclusion | You cannot claim if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, as you’d be on the new State Pension system. |
Real Numbers in Action
- Full basic State Pension stands at £176.45/week for those on the old pension system.
- Example: An eligible individual with £0 basic pension would receive the full £105.70 weekly top‑up, totaling £5,496.40 annually.
- Someone with £43/week basic pension gets £62.70 extra per week.
How to Claim
Claiming the over‑80 pension is straightforward:
- Request a claim form from your local Jobcentre Plus or call the Pension Service.
- You can make your claim three months before turning 80, or any time after.
- Note that the pension is taxable, and you should report it when applying for other benefits.
If you’re 80 or over and your basic State Pension is under £105.70/week (or you’re receiving none), the DWP’s over‑80 pension could boost your income significantly, up to £5,496 annually.
Since it’s income‑based, yet not tied to NI contributions, many eligible pensioners may miss out. The application is simple, and you can even start three months before turning 80. Don’t miss this valuable support.
FAQs
You must be 80 years old or more, receive less than £105.70/week in basic State Pension (or none), and meet the residency criteria.
No—it is not based on NI contributions, unlike the basic State Pension.
Yes. The top‑up counts as taxable income, which may reduce eligibility for other means‑tested benefits.
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