Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that pensioners who retired before April 2016 do not fall into poverty.

The Government is committed to supporting pensioners and ensuring they have financial security and dignity in retirement.

The State Pension remains the foundation of our support for pensioners. In April this year, both the basic and new State Pensions increased by 4.1%, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £470. And our commitment to maintain the Triple Lock – helping to protect the value of the State Pension – for the entirety of this Parliament will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rise significantly.

Pensioners who reached State Pension age before April 2016, and therefore receive the basic State Pension, may also receive an earnings-related additional State Pension (also known as the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) or from April 2002 the State Second Pension) and Graduated Retirement Benefit. This means that although the rate of the basic State Pension is set below the rate of the new State Pension, a person who retired before April 2016 may be receiving a larger amount of pension than just the basic rate – and in many cases above the level of the new State Pension.

Pension Credit continues to provide vital financial support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, have been unable to save for or contribute towards their retirement and find themselves on a low income. It was introduced by the last Labour Government specifically to help prevent pensioners falling into poverty and it does this by guaranteeing a minimum level of income, currently £227.10 week for a single pensioner or £346.40 week for a couple. For pensioners who reached State Pension age before April 2016, the Savings Credit element of Pension Credit also provides a tapered award for those with other income such as a modest private or occupational pension.

Receipt of Pension Credit opens the door to other financial support, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax support and help with NHS costs as well as help with fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.

That is why we continue to promote Pension Credit to eligible pensioners and their family and friends, with our ongoing campaign featuring adverts on television and radio; on social media and on digital screens in GP surgeries and Post Offices, as well as in the press.