Entitlement to other benefits can be affected when you claim State Pension, even if your State Pension is deferred.
State Pension is an income replacement benefit and only one earnings replacement benefit will be paid at a time. Therefore, if you entitled to State Pension, you will not be paid benefits such as Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or Bereavement Allowance as State Pension counts as an income.
However, if you are entitled to one of these benefits (or other earnings replacement benefits) that is payable at a higher rate than your State Pension, you will get extra money from these on top of your pension.
For example, you can claim Carer’s Allowance after you reach State Pension Age but it will only be paid if you get a reduced pension which is less than the rate of Carer’s Allowance you can be paid.
It is worth claiming Carer’s Allowance even if you will not be paid anything, as it can lead to more generous amounts of benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefits and Rates Relief, through a carers premium or additional amount.
Please Note
Speak to a Benefits Adviser for further information.