Pension Credits

nrp1000

This may be old information I'm looking for but I'm a newbie so bear with me. I knew nothing about pension credits until I was directed to this site by my son; My situation:

62 years old and have had no income in the UK for 6 years
Have been working on and off abroad, mostly in Australia
Have an Australian bank account but not a UK one. Any income paid into this account
Plan to retire now and live in the UK - if I can afford it
Full NI contributions of about 39 years

Do I stand a cat in hell's chance of getting any benefit?

Hope someone can offer some advice

seven-day-weekend

I assume you are a British Citizen.

Calculate your State retirement age here:

https://www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension

It will tell you also if you are the age for Pension Credit.

If you have reached this age you will be eligible for State Pension, seeing as you have 39 qualifying years.

Whether or not you will also get Pension Credit depends upon a) your total income and b) passing the Habitual Residency Test.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/benefits_w/benefits_coming_from_abroad_and_claiming_benefits_hrt/benefits_the_habitual_residence_test_introduction/how_a_decision_is_made_hrt.htm

Opening a British Bank Account and getting on the Electoral Roll will help here.

If you are granted any amount of Guaranteed PC, you will be also get your rent and Council Tax paid.

Hope this helps.

nrp1000

Thanks for that information - looks like I have a few things to sort out!

Cheers