It is easy to miss, because people assume a small State Pension is final. At 80, it may not be.
Quick facts
- Tops up to
- £110.75 a week
- Age
- 80 or over
- Reached pension age
- Before 6 April 2016
- National Insurance
- Not needed
- Residence
- 10 of the last 20 years in the UK
- Claim from
- 3 months before your 80th birthday
How it works
If you get less than £110.75 a week in basic State Pension, the Over 80 Pension pays the difference. If you get none, you could get up to £110.75.
For example, at 80 with £43 a week basic State Pension, you may get a top-up of £67.75, to £110.75 a week.
Who can get it — the full rules
- You are aged 80 or over
- You reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016
- You get no basic State Pension, or less than £110.75 a week
- You lived in the UK for at least 10 of the last 20 years, not necessarily in a row
- You were normally resident in the UK, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday
It is not based on National Insurance contributions.
How to claim
Get a claim form from the Northern Ireland Pension Centre or your Jobs and Benefits office. The earliest you can claim is three months before your 80th birthday.
It counts as taxable income, and you must include it as income if you claim income-related benefits.
Common questions
How much is the Over 80 Pension?
It tops your basic State Pension up to £110.75 a week, or pays up to that if you have none.
Do I need National Insurance contributions for the Over 80 Pension?
No. It is not based on National Insurance.
Who cannot get the Over 80 Pension?
Anyone who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016.
When can I claim the Over 80 Pension?
From three months before your 80th birthday.