Later life financial hardship charity Independent Age is urging the UK Government to end a controversial rule that blocks mixed-age couples from accessing vital support like Pension Credit. The mixed-age couples rule, introduced in 2019, could be preventing around 60,000 low-income couples from accessing entitlements specifically for older people until they both reach State Pension age.
UK Government figures show that, on average, affected couples could be losing around £5,900 a year, with some losing as much as £7,000. Data from 2019 also shows that 12% of couples who could be eligible for Pension Credit have an age gap of more than 10 years, meaning the older partner may have to wait until their late seventies to access pensioner entitlements, adding to their financial strain.
With almost 2 million older people already living in poverty across the UK, Independent Age warns that the planned rise in the State Pension age to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028 will force mixed-age couples to wait even longer for support, increasing the risk of severe financial hardship.
Independent Age Chief Executive, Joanna Elson CBE said: “Our helpline received a call from a 79-year-old who was unable to claim Pension Credit because their partner is 59. Under the mixed-age couples rule, they will have to wait until they are 87 before they can access this life-changing financial support. The UK Government has created a flawed system where two people of the same age can be treated completely differently just because one has a younger partner.”
The charity is urging the UK Government to reverse the mixed-age couples rule, to enable couples to claim pensioner benefits once the older partner reaches State Pension age. While couples in this situation can receive Universal Credit, it is not designed to meet the needs of people above State Pension age.
Andy Cressey from Goole, Yorkshire, said: “My partner June who is three years younger than me will be affected when I get to the retirement age of 67 in 2028, a little over two years time. From the information I have been able to find June will have to claim Universal Credit and my State Pension will be taken into account with a pound for pound reduction in the amount she can claim. This effectively means we will both have to live off my State Pension.
“I have also found out that if we live apart the Council will pay my full rent and council tax as I will be a pensioner and my partner would have a full claim in with Universal Credit. So we will be better off if we do not live together, which is silly. We would not be able to afford to live together if that is the case. Why should I have to pay rent and council tax when I live with my younger partner, and she will have very little, if any, income herself? The system is bonkers to say the least.”
Eddie Burns, Liverpool, said: “I am 70 years of age and my partner is 65. We are both disabled and only just keeping our heads above water, financially. I have tried to claim Pension Credit several times and have been informed that I cannot claim as my partner is not of pensionable age. I think this is very unfair and we could really benefit from the extra help. This would make us able to be more comfortable and less worried about our finances.”
Joanna Elson continued: “The mixed-age couples rule is unfair and must end. It is wrong that older people on a low-income with younger partners are locked out of vital financial support, forcing them to wait years for entitlements like Pension Credit. Independent Age supports couples where the younger partner is in low-paid employment or unable to work due to health conditions, or due to caring for their older partner. This rule risks pushing more older people into deep financial hardship.
“Who you fall in love with and choose to spend your later years with should not determine how much financial support you receive. Far too many older couples are forced to live on tiny incomes because of this rule. It’s time for the UK Government to reverse it.”
To mark Valentine’s Day and highlight its campaign to change the mixed-age rule, Independent Age will be sending Valentine’s Day cards to all 650 MPs, urging them to reverse the policy. Each card will also include an invitation to a campaign event taking place outside Parliament on Wednesday 11 February at 2pm, where campaigners will be calling for urgent policy change.
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