Standard rate pension planned for 2017 now 2016

Announced in budget the standard higher rate pension (for most) at £144 to end the need for topping up with PC is to be brought forward to 2016. So does this send a clear message that the spotlight will be on pensioners sooner rather than later.  If PC ends then the opportunity to maximise via AA and CA also goes, but of course there are plans for AA to become a payment more related to the actual care provision.  Of course the first change will be in October when both have to be at PC age to claim as a couple and the protection for under occupying may also be lost for new claimants. Also those with DLA carried into pension age face those claims being reviewed.

The new date for single tier pension (STP) will bring forward some changes certainly.

The first thing to note is that it does NOT abolish Pension Credit.

There will be two Pension Credit schemes; PC+ and STPC

In STPC for recipients of STP it will abolish Savings Pension Credit, except that there will be a transitional 5 year entitlement for the amount of SPC related to housing costs.

It will float basic GPC needs off means-testing but will retain support for disabilities, children, carers, (mortgage interest?) etc.  The new Housing Credit will also continue.

People getting old style pensions (OSP) will still have the new (old) Pension Credit Plus including Savings Pension Credit.  It’s likely that OSP will continue, for some, for over 40 years so a long period of complexity to look forward to.

ps. (again) where do you get the October cut-off date from?

I can only assume that people are saying “October 2013” as shorthand for “whatever date UC goes fully live in a particular area for mixed-age couples making new/repeat claims to DWP, possibly October 2013 in some places if everything goes to plan”. But thats a bit of a mouthful so it gets shortened to October 2013.

Yes, that is my understanding only a matter of time…...so worth bearing in mind when advising.