Reaching State Pension age in the UK brings important changes to benefit entitlements. The current State Pension age is 66, and around 13 million people now depend on the State Pension as a main income source, according to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data. This milestone not only starts pension payments but also affects access to various other benefits.
Many working-age benefits become unavailable for new claims once someone turns 66. These shifts help people plan their finances better as they approach retirement.
State Pension Payments Available
The State Pension provides weekly income based on National Insurance contributions. There are two main types, with different rates applying in 2026.
Here are the details:
| Pension Type | Weekly Rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| New State Pension | £230.25 |
| Basic State Pension (A/B) | £176.45 |
To qualify for any State Pension, a person needs at least 10 qualifying years of contributions. The full New State Pension requires 35 years. The exact amount depends on individual contribution records.
Benefits No Longer Available for New Claims
Several benefits designed for working-age people stop accepting new claims at State Pension age. These are mainly income-assessed supports for those out of work or on low income.
Key benefits that cannot be newly claimed include:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
These working-age options are replaced by pension-age supports, such as Pension Credit, for those who need financial help.
Additional Restricted Benefits
Other benefits also have restrictions for new claims after reaching State Pension age. This includes some contribution-based and disability payments.
Benefits no longer open to new claims are:
- Contributory or New Style ESA
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), including the contribution-based version
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
An exception exists for disability payments. If a person was already receiving DLA or PIP before State Pension age, they may continue or renew the claim. This applies when the claim covers the same health condition and the previous award ended less than 12 months before reaching pension age.
Special Considerations for Couples
Entitlements can become more complicated for couples where one partner is below State Pension age. Mixed-age rules may apply, especially for Universal Credit and Pension Credit. These situations require careful checking to understand the correct eligibility.
Benefits That Remain Available
Many benefits stay open for claims after State Pension age, provided other criteria are met. Some do not depend on income, while others are means-tested.
Non-income-dependent benefits include:
- Child Benefit, handled by HMRC
- Carer’s Allowance, though State Pension income might reduce or remove the payment
- Guardian’s Allowance
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Income-dependent options cover:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit, for certain housing situations
- Council Tax Support
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Help with NHS Health Costs
Winter assistance payments also continue, such as:
- Winter Fuel Payment
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Cold Weather Payment, available in England and Wales
- Winter Heating Payment in Scotland
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland, with similar rules to Winter Fuel Payment
Each of these has specific eligibility conditions. Income-based ones particularly require checking personal circumstances.
Summary of the Changes
When reaching State Pension age of 66, new claims stop for several working-age benefits like Universal Credit, income-based JSA, ESA, Income Support, contributory ESA, JSA, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Disability Living Allowance (DLA), with limited exceptions for ongoing disability claims.
This matters because it shifts support from working-age income assistance to pension-age options, affecting financial planning.
Going forward, people approaching this age should review their current benefits, confirm what continues or stops, and explore new entitlements like Pension Credit or winter payments to maintain steady income.