1. The Elderly How the UK and Scottish Governments meet their financial needs

2. 1. State Pension  This is paid to entitled men at 65, and to women between 60 and 65.  The State Pension age for women will increase gradually from 60 in 2010 to 66 in 2020. The age will be the same for men and women.

3. 1. State Pension  A man will have to have worked for 44 years and a woman 39 years to claim the full state pension if they reach retirement age before 2010.  In the 2007 Pensions Act, this was reduced to just 30 years for both men and women, who retire on or after 2010.

4. 1. State Pension 2010-11 Over 80s receive an extra 25p a week.

5. 2. Income Support  This can be paid to pensioners on a low income, who live in residential care.  It is means-tested – based on your income and circumstances.  Pensioners with savings over £16,000 will not qualify.

6. 3. Pension Credit  Pension Credit can be made up of the Guarantee Credit and the Savings Credit. Both are means-tested.  The Guarantee Credit is extra money available to over 60s whose weekly income is less than £132.60 (single) or £202.40 (couple).  Pensioners with extra responsibilities may qualify for more.

7. 3. Pension Credit  The Savings Credit rewards people with a modest income or savings. It is extra money available to over 65s whose income is up to £184 a week (single person). The maximum payment is £20.52 a week.  The figure ia £270 a week for couples. The maximum payment is £27.09 a week.

8. An Example  Christine Smith has a state pension of £97.65 a week and an occupational pension of £10 a week.  To bring her pension income of £107.65 up to £132.60, she will receive £24.95 guarantee credit.  She will also receive £6.00 savings credit (60p for every £1 of the £10 pension income over £87.30), making her total income £138.60.

9. New Government Proposals  The new Coalition Government is considering scrapping the Pension Credit and paying out a flat-rate pension of £140 to every pensioner in the country.  This would benefit women, in particular, who have not worked long enough to qualify for a full state pension.

10. 4. Winter Fuel Payments  A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 and over with the costs of keeping warm in winter.  Single people or couples may qualify for £250.  People over 80 can get an extra payment of £150.

11. 5. Cold Weather Payments   Pensioners on benefits can qualify for extra assistance to help with heating costs when there is a spell of cold weather in their area.   Cold weather means the average temperature at a specified weather station which is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below over 7 consecutive days.

12. 5. Cold Weather Payments 0°C

13. 6. Attendance Allowance  This is a tax-free benefit for people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care because they are physically or mentally disabled.  The amount you get depends on how much your disability affects you.  The lower rate is £47.80 per week and the higher rate is £71.40 a week.

14. 7. Christmas Bonus  The Christmas Bonus is a tax-free payment paid to a pensioner if they are in receipt of one or more qualifying benefits. The payment is made before Christmas.  The current payment is

15. 8. Free Television Licence  Anyone aged 75 or over is entitled to benefit from a free television licence. The Government will pay for the television licence if a person is aged 75 or over and has a television.  This saves the person £145.50

16. 9. Free Bus Travel in Scotland  Anyone aged 60 or over is entitled to benefit from free bus travel throughout Scotland.  The Scottish Government’s transport agency, Transport Scotland, is in charge of the scheme, introduced on April 1 st, 2006.  This means older and disabled people can now travel free on any local bus service, or scheduled long distance coach service, anywhere in Scotland even during the rush hour.

17. 9. Free Bus Travel in Scotland  A Scottish Citizens' National Entitlement Card is needed to use the scheme.  Each of Scotland’s local councils have there own version of the card.  Fife Council uses its Myfife card to provide free bus travel.