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Pension Credit for Couples: How It Works When You Both Get a State Pension
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: GOV.UK
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If you and your partner have both reached State Pension age, Pension Credit treats you as a single household. Your incomes are added together, your savings are added together, and you are assessed against one combined threshold rather than two individual ones. That threshold is higher than the single rate, but it is one figure covering both of you.
This page covers the "both over State Pension age" situation specifically. If your partner has not yet reached State Pension age, the rules are different — see our separate guide on mixed-age couples.
The couple threshold
For 2024/25, Guarantee Credit tops a couple’s combined weekly income up to £332.95, compared with £218.15 for a single person. It is not simply double the single rate — it recognises that some living costs are shared.
One claim, combined finances
You make a single joint claim covering both of you. Both partners’ income and savings are added together for the assessment — you cannot claim individually and keep finances separate for Pension Credit purposes once you are treated as a couple.
- Both State Pensions are added together
- Any other pension income for either partner is added together
- Savings and capital held by either partner are added together
- Only one household gets the £10,000 savings disregard, not one each
Savings Credit for couples
If at least one of you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you may also qualify for Savings Credit, worth up to £19.04 a week for couples on top of Guarantee Credit, rewarding modest savings or additional pension income above the basic State Pension.
Disability and caring additions
If either partner receives Attendance Allowance, PIP (daily living component) or DLA (middle/highest rate care), an extra amount is added for severe disability. An extra amount can also be added if either of you cares for someone else. These additions can significantly raise your effective threshold.
One claim, one threshold, both of your finances combined.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need to make two separate claims?
No. Couples where both partners have reached State Pension age make one joint claim covering the household.
What if only one of us has reached State Pension age?
That is a "mixed-age couple" and different rules apply — see our dedicated mixed-age couples guide.
Are our savings added together or looked at separately?
Added together. There is one £10,000 disregard for the household, not one each.
Does it matter which of us the payment is made to?
The award is a household entitlement; you agree between you who receives the payment, similar to other joint benefit claims.
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