8 September 2003

PENSION CREDIT TV ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN CALLS PENSIONERS TO "PICK IT UP. IT’S YOURS"

The Social Security Agency has launched a major TV advertising campaign to encourage elderly people to claim the new pension credit.

Pension Credit, which will be introduced on 6 October 2003, replaces Minimum Income Guarantee. The new credit ensures that single pensioners aged 60 and over will be guaranteed an income of at least £102.10 per week and couples will be guaranteed at least £155.80 per week. A key element of the new credit is that it also rewards people who have modest savings for their retirement.

The TV advertisements feature pensioners in everyday situations, for example, in the street, at a bus station or at a football match, being encouraged to "Pick it up. It’s yours." The advertisements are part of a national campaign to promote benefit uptake which also includes a letter to all 258,000 pensioner households in Northern Ireland.

Endorsing the TV campaign, the Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency, Chris Thompson, said: "This is great news for elderly people because we are, for the first time, rewarding pensioners who have planned and saved for their retirement.

"We have worked hard over the last number of years to encourage the elderly to claim all the benefits they are entitled to and I would now appeal to all pensioners to

take advantage of this opportunity to claim the new Pension Credit. It’s yours for the taking."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. If a pensioner is already receiving Minimum Income Guarantee, they do not need to do anything as the Pension Service will automatically work out their entitlement to Pension Credit.
2. For those not receiving Minimum Income Guarantee, the Pension Service is already writing to people aged 60 and over between April 2003 and June 2004 with advice and information on how to apply. Pension Credit will be paid from October 2003 and as long as people apply before October 2004, any money will be backdated to October 2003.
3. Anyone who wishes to apply can call the Pension Service Application line on free phone 0808 100 6165, 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday inclusively. For people with speech and hearing difficulties, the text phone number is 0808 100 1165.
4. Alternatively, people can write to us at the

   Social Security Agency
   Pension Service
   PO Box 205
   Londonderry
   BT48 6YB.

   Or you can check the pension pages on www.ssani.gov.uk

5. If anyone wants a copy of the leaflet on Pension Credit (PC1L), please call our enquiry line on 0845 601 8821.
6. All 35 Social Security offices also have a dedicated pension adviser who will be very happy to help with enquiries.

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