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Pension credit is a means tested benefit available for people of pensionable age to help top up their income. At the moment it can be claimed when the older partner in a couple reaches state pension age currently about 65 and a quarter. From May 15th it will switch to the age of the younger person. That will delay their claim for years in some cases. The May date was contained in a written ministerial statement by pensions minister Guy Opperman which was released this week.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman told Money Box 鈥淭his change was voted on by Parliament in 2012, and we have always said it would be implemented once Universal Credit rollout was completed. It restores fairness by ensuring only people of pension age can access pension age benefits. We are writing to all mixed aged couples currently receiving Pension Credits to inform them of the rule change, and we are working with stakeholders to communicate with people that may be affected in the future. People currently in receipt won鈥檛 be affected unless their circumstances change.鈥� The DWP also said it has not published figures on how many people the change will affect.

Paul Lewis hears from Gareth Morgan, CEO of Ferret Information System, a benefits advice company