Pensioners in mixed-age couples face barriers to Pension Credit, even with modest incomes. This income-assessed benefit supports those over State Pension age—currently 66—with financial hardship. It boosts earnings to a minimum of £227.10 weekly for singles or £346.60 for couples, while opening doors to aid for health and housing costs.
Strict Eligibility Rules for Couples
Current guidelines require both partners in a couple to reach State Pension age for eligibility. Couples where one partner remains below 66 must rely on working-age benefits like Universal Credit instead.
Liberal Democrat MP Liz Jarvis raised concerns in a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. She asked about the impact on pensioner poverty among mixed-age couples due to this dual-age requirement for Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit.
Minister Defends Policy
Minister of State for Work and Pensions Stephen Timms upheld the rules in his response, calling them essential. He stated: “Ensuring that individuals can get into, progress and stay in work is important in helping them to continue saving for their own retirement and contribute to the wider economy.”
Timms explained that the policy directs mixed-age couples to working-age support until both qualify for pension benefits. This allows the younger partner access to employment services, including tailored aid for those over 50, while the pension-age partner falls into a no-work-requirements group.
The government highlights Universal Credit’s role in reducing poverty and incentivizing employment. It has implemented sustained above-inflation increases to the standard allowance, with a 3.8% rise from April 2026, followed by 2.3%.
Policy Shift and Criticisms
Prior to 2019, mixed-age couples could choose between Pension Credit and working-age benefits. That year, changes classified them as working-age households for means-tested aid.
Charities warn of harsh effects. Government data shows affected couples lose around £5,900 annually, with some facing up to £7,000 shortfalls.
Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson CBE highlighted a case: “Our helpline received a call from a 79-year-old who was unable to claim Pension Credit because their partner is 59. Under the mixed-age couples rule, they will have to wait until they are 87 before they can access this life-changing financial support.”
Elson criticized the system: “The UK Government has created a flawed system where two people of the same age can be treated completely differently just because one has a younger partner.”
The charity demands reversal, allowing access to pensioner benefits once the older partner hits State Pension age. Elson added: “The mixed-age couples rule is unfair and must end. It is wrong that older people on a low-income with younger partners are locked out of vital financial support, forcing them to wait years for entitlements like Pension Credit.”
Independent Age supports couples where younger partners hold low-paid jobs, face health issues, or care for the older one, noting the rule heightens financial risks. “Who you fall in love with and choose to spend your later years with should not determine how much financial support you receive,” Elson concluded.
