State Pension provides essential financial support for nearly 12.5 million older people across the UK, including 981,399 living in Scotland. This regular payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is now 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years worth of National Insurance Contributions.
State Pension is not paid automatically, it is a contributory benefit which has to be claimed by those of eligible age, because some people choose to defer making a claim in order to keep working and contribute more towards their pension pot. However, many older people may be missing out on an additional benefit payment they could be eligible to claim which is now worth either £247.40 or £369.60 every four weeks.
Some people of State Pension age, and older, are failing to claim Attendance Allowance, a benefit which helps individuals with daily living expenses and can help them stay independent in their own home for longer.
