Pension Credit - especially with the Guarantee Element incorporated - is a particularly useful resource for boosting the incomes of those people who may be early retired from full time work but have not yet reached the age to qualify for State Pension.

It amounts to only a few pounds per week, but can "open doors" to such noteworthy entitlements as ... ... free dental treatment, plus substantial discounts on the purchase of spectacles and reduced Council Tax.

It is payable to persons between the age of 60 and the current retiral age of 65 ... even to those in receipt of a modest occupational pension that falls below a specified level.