Early retirement and jobseekers allowance

howayman

Hello everyone, I've just joined the forum and would like to introduce myself. My name is Margaret and I am now retired. My question to you is my husband has just been given early retirement at age 63 - can he claim jobseekers allowance (unemployment benefit) until age 65 when his state pension becomes payable, also will he have to declare his retirement payout. Thank you in anticipation.

seven-day-weekend

I think he can claim Jobseekers' Allowance. There are two types - contributions based which he can get for six months regardless of income/savings, providing he has paid enough National Insurance at the right time; and income-based which is means-tested based on household income and savings - if he is going to have this he will have to declare his payout.

Alternatively as he is over 60 he may be able to apply for Pension Credit, this too is means-tested. If he is eleigible for this there will not be the requirement to seek work as there is on JSA.

CLAPTON

JSA can be paid up to 65 years for men and 60 for women but it depends upon his financial circumstances. So they will take into consideration how much saving he has and his pension income and of course whether he is looking for a job.