Date of claim for Pension Credit

We completed a Pension Credit form for a man he was 60 on 13.9.2010. He has had a letter informing him that he cannot claim until March because of new rules. Can anyone explain this, we cant find anything

It’s due to the changes to pension age- a gradual increase over the next few years for both men & women. PC can’t be claimed until the claimant has reached ‘retirement age’ which in the case of your client (born 13/9/50) will be when he is 60.5 months (6/3/11). If you have a copy of the CPAG handbook, look at the sections on Pension Credit and Appendix 6, which will give you the relevant retirement age date.

Alternatively go to http://www.direct.gov.uk under the pensions section there is a handy on-line calculator which gives you your exact retirement age /qualify age for Pension Credit. Mine is 67 -that’s depressing!

Alan