DWP Confirms Extra £105 a Week for State Pensioners of Specific Birth Years

If you’re a state pensioner aged 80 or over, you may qualify for the “Over-80 Pension”, a top-up from the DWP that boosts your weekly pension to a maximum of £105.70 in the 2025–26 tax year. Let’s unpack eligibility, amounts, and how to claim this crucial benefit.

What Is the Over-80 Pension?

The Over-80 Pension is a special top-up provision from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for older retirees. If you’re aged 80+ and receiving either no basic State Pension or less than £105.70 per week, this benefit bridges the gap, topping your payments up to that amount.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this additional support, you must meet all the following:

Requirement	Details
Age	80 years or older
Basic State Pension	Either none or less than £105.70/week (in 2025–26)
Residency	At least 10 years of UK residency in the 20 years before you turned 80 (need not be continuous), including the day before or after your 80th birthday
Ordinary Residence	Must have been ordinarily resident in the UK, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar on your 80th birthday or the date of your claim
State Pension age	Not eligible if you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 (i.e., you’re under the new State Pension system)
National Insurance	Not based on your National Insurance record

How Much Extra Can You Get?

The Over-80 Pension ensures you receive up to £105.70 weekly in 2025–26. Here’s how it works:

• If you currently receive £0 basic State Pension, you get the full £105.70.
• If you receive a partial amount—say £43/week—you’re topped up by £62.70/week.

How to Claim

You can begin claiming three months before your 80th birthday. Claim forms are available from Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service (formerly Northern Ireland Pension Centre).

Since this counts as taxable income, it may impact other means-tested benefits—so always report it if you’re claiming anything else.

Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Extra weekly amount	Up to £105.70 (2025–26)
Eligibility – age	80 years or older
Eligibility – pension	Basic State Pension < £105.70 or none
Residency requirement	10 years in UK within the last 20 before age 80
Ordinary residence	Must be residing in UK, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar at claim time
State Pension system	Must be under old system, i.e., reached pension before 6 April 2016
NI contributions	Not required to qualify
Claim period	Starts 3 months before 80th birthday
Tax implications	Counts as income—may affect other benefits

The DWP’s Over-80 Pension offers vital financial support by ensuring individuals aged 80+ receive at least £105.70 per week, if their basic State Pension is lower or nonexistent.

It’s simple to qualify, doesn’t depend on past National Insurance contributions, and can be vital for maintaining financial stability during later years. If you’re approaching or past your 80th birthday, check your eligibility and start your claim early—it’s a straightforward way to secure the income you deserve.

FAQs