How much savings can I have on Pension Credit?

People skip the claim because they think savings rule them out. They usually do not. The first £10,000.00 is ignored, and even a small award unlocks other help.

2026/27 · Guarantee Credit sketch

There is no savings cap. The first £10,000.00 is ignored. Above that, each £500 (or part) counts as £1 a week of assumed income. This is not the official calculator.

Household

Both of you usually need to have reached State Pension age. A mixed-age couple is normally on Universal Credit instead.

Weekly incomeState Pension plus private pensions and other counted income. Attendance Allowance and PIP do not count as income here.£/weekSavings and investmentsYour home does not count. ISAs do count as capital.£Attendance Allowance in the householdAdds £86.05 a week to the guarantee line if the extra rules are met (you live alone, or similar). It is ignored as income.

Assumed income from savings

£0.00 a week

Guarantee line: £238.00 a week (standard £238.00)
Income counted: £180.00 a week

About £58.00 a week of Guarantee Credit

That is roughly £3,016.00 a year, and even pence a week can unlock Winter Fuel Payment, Housing Benefit, council tax support and a free TV licence at 75.

Confirm with the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator. Savings Credit for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 is not in this sketch. Not sure of the age? State pension age checker.

What it unlocks: Pension Credit explained. Attendance Allowance often raises the line: Attendance Allowance. Winter Fuel Payment: who gets it now.

Common questions

How much savings can I have on Pension Credit?+

There is no upper cap. The first £10,000.00 is ignored. Each £500, or part of £500, above that is treated as £1 a week of income. Your home is not counted.

How much is Pension Credit in 2026/27?+

Guarantee Credit tops weekly income up to £238.00 if you are single and £363.25 if you are a couple, plus extra amounts for severe disability or caring. The exact award is the gap between that line and your counted income.

Does this replace the GOV.UK calculator?+

No. It shows the savings rule and the standard guarantee line. Additions and Savings Credit are easy to miss. Use GOV.UK or Age UK before you claim or decide not to.