3. People included in the claim
If you are single, you claim pension credit (PC) for yourself. If you are a member of a couple (see
here) and both you and your partner are pension age, either of you can claim PC for you both. If only one of you is pension age, see above.
The ‘appropriate minimum guarantee’ that forms part of the PC calculation includes an allowance for a couple and can include additional amounts based on your and your partner’s circumstances, including child-related amounts if you are responsible for a child or qualifying young person. When the amount of your PC is worked out, your partner’s income and capital are usually added to yours.
If you are claiming PC but your partner has not yet reached pension age, they may qualify for national insurance (NI) credits to protect their NI record depending on their other circumstances (see
here).