Pensioners missing out on £1,339 a year in state support described as an 'epidemic'

The data comes from retirement specialist Just Group's annual State Benefits Insight Report published in September.

It found that 42 per cent of pensioner homeowners were entitled to at least one key state benefit.

However, a significant proportion were either not claiming at all or were not receiving their full entitlement.

The research was based on detailed interviews conducted throughout 2025 with people seeking equity release advice.

Beyond those not claiming any support, the report found that a further 14 per cent of pensioner homeowners who were receiving benefits were not getting the full amount they were entitled to.

These households were missing out on an average of £1,162 per year.

David Cooper, director at Just Group, said the findings highlighted a widespread issue among older homeowners.

"Our survey once again reveals what appears to be an epidemic of pensioner homeowners missing out on income they are entitled to claim."

He said those affected were typically on low incomes and were likely to be struggling with rising living costs.

Mr Cooper said: "These are low-income households who are likely finding the cost-of-living crisis particularly tough."

The report highlighted Guaranteed Pension Credit as a key concern.

Guaranteed Pension Credit is the main means-tested benefit for older people on low incomes and acts as a gateway to other support.

These additional benefits include help such as Winter Fuel Payment and council tax support.

However, the research found that more than two thirds of those eligible for Guaranteed Pension Credit were not claiming it.

Mr Cooper said: "Guaranteed Pension Credit is the main means-tested benefit for older people, and a gateway to a range of other benefits such as Winter Fuel Payment, but we found more than two thirds who were eligible were missing out."

The report showed wide variation in take-up rates across different benefits.

Guarantee Pension Credit was only being claimed by three in ten of those who qualified.

Council Tax Reduction had an even lower take-up rate, research finding that 41 per cent of pensioner homeowners were eligible for Council Tax Reduction.

However, only 24 per cent of those eligible were claiming the support which left households missing out on an average of £1,050 annually.

Savings Pension Credit had a higher take-up rate than other benefits, with the report finding 56 per cent of eligible pensioners were claiming it.

Those who did not claim were losing an average of £453 per year.

Universal Credit showed a different pattern - eligibility rates among pensioner homeowners were lower, but the financial impact was significantly higher.

Take-up stood at 60 per cent, with non-claiming households missing out on an average of £3,926 each year.

The findings from Just Group align with wider Government data on benefit take-up.

Official figures for 2023/24 showed that up to 910,000 families entitled to Pension Credit did not claim it, resulting in around £2.5billion going unclaimed.

On average, this equated to roughly £2,600 per family.

Mr Cooper suggested that pensioner homeowners may be particularly likely to miss out because of misconceptions around eligibility.

Mr Cooper said: "It's important cash-strapped pensioner households do not simply assume there is no State help available – a five-minute check could unlock thousands of pounds of income each year."

The report encouraged pensioners and their families to review their benefit entitlement.

Free benefits calculators are available on the Government website.

Support is also available from organisations including MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice and Age UK.