Pensions and retirement
The Department is responsible for a range of benefits and services for pensioners and people planning pensions. From the list below, pick an area that relates to you and check if you are able to get any of the benefits and services. If you cannot find the information you need, please check the A-Z list or use the search facility.
Important information for same-sex couples or civil partners claiming benefit.
Benefits adviser
Answer questions to find out information on benefits and tax credits that you may be entitled to.
- Benefits adviser Do it online (this link will take you to the Directgov website)
Pensioners and people planning pensions
- Pensions Reform
- Pensions Act 2004
- Early retirement (this link will take you to the Directgov website)
- Pensions
- Inheritance of SERPS: Important information for married people (this link takes you to The Pension Service website).
- State Pension Forecast [BR19] (this link takes you to The Pension Service website).
- Managing on a low income
- Visiting or living abroad
- Long-term ill or disabled
- In hospital
- Caring for others
- Care homes (this link will take you to the Directgov website)
- Winter Fuel Payments (on The Pension Service website)
- Bereavement – What to do when someone dies (this link will take you to the Directgov website)
- The Pensions Education Fund
DWP benefits and services
The Pension Service is a dedicated service for current and future pensioners (This link will take you to The Pension Service website).
Jobcentre Plus provides an integrated service to people of working age (This link will take you to the Jobcentre Plus website).
Disability and Carers Service supports disabled people and their carers, whether or not they work.
Child Support Agency is responsible for running the child support system (This link will take you to The Child Support Agency website).
Useful links
Planned changes for pensions
The Government aims to increase protection for your company pension and widen your choices about when you retire. Find out more about the Government's pension reform plans.
Age Positive
The Government is working to change attitudes towards age. The Age Positive website contains guidance to encourage employers to end age discrimination in the workplace and to give people more choice and flexibility. Go to the Age Positive website.
Link-Age
The publication, 'Link-Age: developing networks of services for older people', outlines the steps being taken to meet the 2001 manifesto commitment to develop 'third age services'. Find out more about Link-Age.
Directgov
The Directgov website is the main access point to services and information provided by Government. The Over 50s section is relevant to people approaching pension age as well as pensioners. Go to the Directgov Over 50s website.