Are you, or any of your friends or family, over 60? Apply for Pension Credit now

seven-day-weekend

pacemaker wrote: »

When I applied for my Pension which started in August I was told that I would get Pension credit plus carers allowance as I look after a severely disabled person. I said Great then asked about getting my Pension when going to live in France.That was no problem! but!!! you can't get Pension credit or Carers Allowance! So we live on a very reduced income and have to watch every penny. Surely if I have worked all my life and still pay tax in the UK, I should be able to claim Pension Credits. I cannot nor feel right about the French Gov't having to support me. What do others think? PS I have been working since the age of 15 years.:mad:

We live in Spain and although we have a few years to go before we get our State Pensions, the same thing would apply here (although we would not qualify for Pension Credit anyway because of the means test).

I think it's fair enough really. We can receive our State Pensions and certain contributory benefits such as Incapacity Benefit, but pension credits and careres' allowance are non-contributory and therefore depend on other qualifiers such as residency.

I don't think it's right that the French Government should have to support you either. The Spanish Governmemt wouldn't.

My husband has worked from 15-55 and still pays tax in the UK. I started work at 16.

icannotbelieveit

Thanks to everyone on this thread. I have just done a quick reccie on the links and I have a question...How do the powers-that-be come up with the calculation: ' for every £500 of savings over £6000 you will have £1 of income.'(that's per week). I calculate a very high interest rate even if all your monies are in high interest accounts. Can anyone tell me where I can put my money in these accounts then I wouldn't need pension credit? Is this before or after tax?

roddydogs

Yup, if youve been reckless, not saved for your old age,not taken out a private pension spent it all on fags/beer, or if youve not been in the country long enough to qualify for a full state pension, etc, etc, dont worry apply for pension credit, paid for by all the people who have not been !!!!less.

JeffMinter

I take it my self employed father (who has a barely profitable business but with high turnover) isn't eligible then? Nor my mother, who has been a housewife for 30+ years and hence has no NI contributions made?

Biggles

JeffMinter wrote: »

I take it my self employed father (who has a barely profitable business but with high turnover) isn't eligible then? Nor my mother, who has been a housewife for 30+ years and hence has no NI contributions made?

It will depend on his income (ie the profits, not the turnover).

JeffMinter

Less than £10k. Considering the annual turnover is 20x that, it's rather pathetic really. The property itself is worth something, that counts against him right?


And my mum, absolutely nothing for her?

Biggles

JeffMinter wrote: »

Less than £10k. Considering the annual turnover is 20x that, it's rather pathetic really. The property itself is worth something, that counts against him right?

And my mum, absolutely nothing for her?

The property doesn't count against him. Try the calculator (see post #10), that builds in all the possibilities.

getting-sorted-sarah

CitizenBidet wrote: »

Silly question but
Do you have to be retired and or receiving a pension
Or can anyone over 60 depending on their earnings get pension credit?
bit confused ..

Based on income, you don't have to be retired, just over 60.
Help to apply from many branches of Age Concern.

getting-sorted-sarah

JeffMinter wrote: »

I take it my self employed father (who has a barely profitable business but with high turnover) isn't eligible then? Nor my mother, who has been a housewife for 30+ years and hence has no NI contributions made?

Your parents could apply as a couple and their earnt money taken into consideration - ie what salary your father pays himself.
BTW, if your mother was on her own she would qualify, with no NI contributions. PC is designed to support those without means for whatever reasons.

getting-sorted-sarah

JeffMinter wrote: »

Less than £10k. Considering the annual turnover is 20x that, it's rather pathetic really. The property itself is worth something, that counts against him right?


And my mum, absolutely nothing for her?

Property is definitely not taken into consideration. If your parents' income is this low they may well qualify for help with council tax benefit as well, contact your local Age Concern, or suggest that they do, to get some advice.

I'm happy to help if you want to PM me - I work for Age Concern.