Thousands of older pensioners across the UK could be entitled to a weekly income boost, thanks to a little-known top-up known as the Over 80 Pension.
The payment, which is worth up to £105.70 per week in the 2025–2026 tax year, is designed to support people aged 80 or over who receive little or no basic State Pension. There are a few rules to meet in order to qualify, and here’s the rundown.
Who can get it?
To qualify, you must:
- Be aged 80 or over, and
- Either receive no basic State Pension or less than £105.70 a week, and
- Have lived in the UK for at least 10 years out of the 20 years around your 80th birthday, and
- Be ordinarily resident in the UK, Isle of Man or Gibraltar when you turned 80 or when you make the claim.
Importantly, your eligibility for this pension is not based on National Insurance contributions, making it a potential lifeline for those with gaps in their work history.
However, you will not be eligible if you reached State Pension age (currently 66) on or after April 6, 2016.
How much can you get?
The amount you receive depends on your existing basic State Pension, but the payment will make up the difference to give you a total weekly income of £105.70.
For example, if you currently receive £43 a week, your pension could be topped up by £62.70, bringing your total to £105.70 a week.
How to claim
You can apply through your local Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service. To request a form, call the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898.
Be aware that the Over 80 Pension counts as taxable income and may affect other income-related benefits.
