The amount of money that you take from your pension pot could affect any state or housing benefits that you’re entitled to. You should check first by contacting The Pension Service on www.gov.uk/contact-pension-service, your local council, or seek guidance from Pension Wise.

If you’re judged to have deliberately spent or given away your pension pot to receive or increase benefits, the Department for Work and Pensions or your local council may re-assess your eligibility and treat you as still having the money. If you’re able to take an income and have chosen not to do so, some or all of the income you could have taken may be taken into account.