Every year, millions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed by older people, and every year, Age Concern Scotland mounts a public awareness campaign to persuade people to claim the benefits they are entitled to.
We also campaign, jointly with Age Concern England and with other organisations, for increases in the basic state pension. The pension has been increased, and new measures to target help at the poorest pensioners have been introduced, but we are still campaigning for a level of basic pension that will lift people out of poverty.
The Pension Credit
The Pension Credit was introduced in October 2003 to increase the income of many older people. It is intended to provide older people with a minimum level of income and give extra cash to people with modest incomes who have made savings for their retirement. More information on the Pension Credit.
Changes to State Pension and Benefits Payments
Changes to the way that benefits are paid have major implications for older people and post offices, where many older people have their benefits paid.