CHANGES TO PENSION CREDIT ELIGIBILITY

That this House is deeply concerned by the proposed changes to eligibility for pension credit; notes that from 15 May 2019 new pensioners whose partners are younger than the state retirement age of 65 will no longer be able to claim a means-tested top-up called pension credit but instead will be forced to claim the much less generous universal credit alongside their younger partners; is alarmed that this amounts to a potential loss of up to £7,320 per year; agrees with Age UK that those changes comprise a “substantial wealth cut” which could have a devastating effect on the health and well-being of some older people and increase the number of pensioners in poverty; is mindful of the fact that this change will mean yet another financial blow to women born in the 1950s who have already had their state pension age delayed with little or no notice; further notes that the average age gap for mixed-age couples is 2.6 years, meaning the cash loss incurred before the younger partner becomes eligible to claim pension credit could be up to £19,000; recognises that where the age gap is greater, the potential loss will be more; and urges the Government to reconsider these changes, which will serve only to increase the number of pensioners in poverty.