Q - I have just retired at the age of 65 with a four- weekly State Pension of £398.20 and a monthly works pension of £324.69. After paying the basics like my monthly rent of £380, water charges and £60 Council Tax, I have less than £50 a week to live on. Can I get Pension Credit or other help?
A - No Pension Credit but Council Tax Benefit of £3 a week and Housing Benefit that will reduce your rent to about £28 a week initially and permanently if your council thinks it is a reasonable charge.
Q - I am 64 with Pension Credit of £142.74 a week. My wife is 63 with a State Pension of £31 a week. I am due a private pension of £50 a month. Will this affect my Pension Credit?
A - Yes. Your Pension Credit will be reduced, leaving your total income unchanged but you could be better off at 65 when Savings Credit is due. This will take account of your State Pension and the increased State Pension that your wife will be due based upon your National Insurance.
Q - How much Pension Credit could my wife and I receive with £16,000 savings? Our State Pensions are £133.10 and£50.50 a week and I have a private pension of £52 a year. Our rent is £57.96 a week and our Council Tax £892 a year.
A - You are due Pension Credit of about £11.36 a week. If your savings are no more than £16,000 you will also be due rebates bringing your Council Tax down to £190 a year and your basic rent to £12 a week. With savings above £16,000 you will have to pay the lot.
Q - My husband, who is approaching 65, receives Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA) of £50.84 a week. If he gives up his part-time job will he lose this?
A - He can continue to receive REA until 65, whether he works or not. After this it will be replaced by Retirement Allowance of £12.71, unless he is in regular work. That means an average of at least ten hours work a week.
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