Joint UC account, does partner keep claim if I take pension?

Noopin

I’m afraid I still can’t see beyond - no UC at all, 2 people in household, 1 single person’s state pension.  (In practice, I’ll be working for while yet).

poppy12345

You are known as a mixed aged couple, where one is under and the other over state pension age. It's never favourable and much less generous than before the rule changes for Pension Credit back in 2019. 

Please also take note of the sticky at the top of the thread... This forum is for helping with benefits entitlement, not about benefits policy. If you have concerns then contact your local MP. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Noopin said:

I’m afraid I still can’t see beyond - no UC at all, 2 people in household, 1 single person’s state pension.  (In practice, I’ll be working for while yet).

Because it's still above the UC amount for a couple in your situation.

However, I would still advise doing some benefit calculations again with the information you now have about what you need to include as a couple.

For clarity, does your wife have LCW or LCWRA?
Also do you receive Carers Allowance separately?  If so then that will end with claiming your state pension so that deduction would no longer apply.

So, depending on your actual maximum award before deductions - which elements exactly make up your claim - and your earnings, it may be possible that you might still be entitled to some UC.

Noopin

I’m not bothered about policy, it started as a query about a change of circumstances.  It quickly became clear that I had a few misapprehensions about UC in this situation.  I’d imagined it was either pension or UC.
There’s really no choice about taking the pension, then.  At least, she receives PIP, which helps.
From here on, I’ll just be liable for 20% tax on everything I earn, in effect, which works out fine (the pension is £1000 less than the personal allowance).

Thankyou for your assistance, I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed that a single pension defeats the whole UC for a couple.

Next, to find out what penalty for overpayment.  I think I just sort of imagined they’d recognise my age at UC and raise a question if it was going to be a potential issue.

poppy12345

Noopin said:

 I think I just sort of imagined they’d recognise my age at UC and raise a question if it was going to be a potential issue.

UC don't always recognise that someone has now reached state pension age. Though all changes of circumstances should be reported so you should have informed them that you had reached that age. 

For UC all overpayments are recoverable, even if it's an official error made by them. 

I know you mentioned earlier in the thread that your wife has LCW but can you please confirm that it's LCW and not LCWRA?

kimwp

Noopin said:

Thankyou for your assistance, I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed that a single pension defeats the whole UC for a couple.

I'm confused as to your disappointment? You're disappointed that you are going to receive more money?

NedS

Noopin said:

Thankyou for your assistance, I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed that a single pension defeats the whole UC for a couple.

Which really goes to show just how generous a full state pension is

sheramber

kimwp said:

Noopin said:

Thankyou for your assistance, I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed that a single pension defeats the whole UC for a couple.

I'm confused as to your disappointment? You're disappointed that you are going to receive more money?

While the pension payment is more than the UC amount, UC was non taxable  but the pension is taxable so will reduce the amount of personal allowance available to set against earnings.

So instead of earnings of £12570 being covered by personal allowances  only £11610 wil now be available against his earnings,

sheramber

Noopin said:

I’m not bothered about policy, it started as a query about a change of circumstances.  It quickly became clear that I had a few misapprehensions about UC in this situation.  I’d imagined it was either pension or UC.
There’s really no choice about taking the pension, then.  At least, she receives PIP, which helps.
From here on, I’ll just be liable for 20% tax on everything I earn, in effect, which works out fine (the pension is £1000 less than the personal allowance).

Thankyou for your assistance, I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed that a single pension defeats the whole UC for a couple.

Next, to find out what penalty for overpayment.  I think I just sort of imagined they’d recognise my age at UC and raise a question if it was going to be a potential issue.

Have you considered your wife transferring Mrriage Allowance to you if she has no taxable income?

https://www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance

kimwp

sheramber said:

kimwp said:

Noopin said:

Thankyou for your assistance, I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed that a single pension defeats the whole UC for a couple.

I'm confused as to your disappointment? You're disappointed that you are going to receive more money?

While the pension payment is more than the UC amount, UC was non taxable  but the pension is taxable so will reduce the amount of personal allowance available to set against earnings.

So instead of earnings of £12570 being covered by personal allowances  only £11610 wil now be available against his earnings,

I see! Thank you for explaining.