DWP Benefit CUTS at Retirement: You’ll LOSE These Benefits if you reach this Age

Reaching the State Pension age can change your financial situation in many ways. While you may start getting new support like the State Pension or Pension Credit, there are also several benefits you can no longer claim. Many people don’t realise this until it’s too late. So, it’s important to understand what changes once you reach this milestone.

Let’s break it down clearly, so you know which benefits you may lose, which stay the same, and what new support you might get.

What Is the State Pension?

The State Pension is a regular payment from the government that helps older people with their living costs. To qualify, you need at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions. The full New State Pension is currently worth up to £230.25 a week if you started claiming after April 6, 2016. If you’re on the Basic State Pension (for claims before that date), you could get £176.45 a week.

Your State Pension age is currently 66, and it is the same as your Pension Credit age, unless you are a man born before 6 December 1953. You can check your exact age for claiming these benefits on the GOV.UK website.

Benefits You Can No Longer Claim After Reaching Pension Age

Once you reach State Pension age or Pension Credit age, some benefits will stop or become unavailable for new claims.

When you reach Pension Credit age, you can no longer claim:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Universal Credit

If you live with a partner and only one of you has reached pension age, the situation becomes more complex. In such cases, Turn2us suggests getting advice to check exactly what you’re eligible for.

At State Pension age, you also can’t make a new claim for:

• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• New Style or Contributory ESA
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Adult Disability Payment (ADP – Scotland only)
• Bereavement Support Payment
• Widowed Parent’s Allowance

However, if you already get PIP, DLA, or ADP before reaching pension age, you can continue to get them under the same conditions, as long as your previous claim ended less than a year ago.

In Scotland, people on DLA or PIP will soon be moved to the new Social Security Scotland system as part of changes rolling out this spring.

Benefits You Can Still Claim After State Pension Age

Even after reaching State Pension age, you can still get help from the government, depending on your situation.

These benefits are not affected by your age:

• Child Benefit (from HMRC)
• Carer’s Allowance – but the amount may be reduced if you get a State Pension
• Guardian’s Allowance
• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

You can also apply for these benefits if your income is low:

• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Support
• Support for Mortgage Interest
• Help with NHS health costs
• Cold Weather Payment (England and Wales only)
• Winter Heating Payment (Scotland only)
• Warm Home Discount Scheme
• Winter Fuel Payment – but only if you get Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits
• Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (Scotland only)

Knowing what benefits stop and which ones continue when you reach State Pension age is very important for planning your finances. While some payments will end, others will become available, and some continue depending on your income and personal situation. Always check the latest updates on the Turn2us website or speak to a benefits adviser for the most accurate advice. Understanding these changes can help you avoid surprises and ensure you still get the help you deserve in later life.

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