Do pensioners pay council tax?

Council tax By Council Tax Helpline, 10 September 2026

In short

• There is no automatic council tax exemption for pensioners.
• Pensioners on a low income can get Council Tax Reduction under a national scheme. On the guarantee part of Pension Credit, it often covers the whole bill.
• Living alone brings 25% off, whatever your income.
• Someone with dementia may be disregarded, which can bring a discount or exemption.
• If you move permanently into a care home, your empty home may be exempt.

Do pensioners have to pay?

Yes. Reaching State Pension age does not, by itself, stop you having to pay council tax. But pensioners are more likely than anyone to be missing out on help they are entitled to.

Council Tax Reduction for pensioners

In England, people over State Pension age are covered by a national Council Tax Reduction scheme, so the rules are the same wherever you live. Wales and Scotland have their own national schemes too.

• If you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit, you can usually get your whole bill covered
• If you do not, you may still get some help if your income and savings are low

You must apply to your council. It is not automatic, even if you get Pension Credit. In England, a pensioner’s claim can be backdated by up to three months without giving a reason.

See Council Tax Reduction.

Discounts that often apply

• Living alone: 25% off with the single person discount, whatever your income
• Dementia or a similar condition: the person may be disregarded, which can mean a discount or no bill at all, and it can be backdated for years. See council tax and dementia
• A carer living with you who gives at least 35 hours of care a week may be disregarded
• An adapted home: the disabled band reduction

Care homes and hospital

• If you move permanently into a care home or hospital, your empty home may be exempt from council tax. See empty properties
• If someone you live with moves into a care home, they are no longer counted, which may bring the single person discount

Quick check

Could you be paying too much?

Tick anything that applies to your home.

• Only one adult lives in the home

  Single person discount: 25% off. How it works

• Someone is a full-time student, an apprentice, or under 18

  They are not counted. That can mean 25% off, or no bill at all if everyone is a student. How it works

• Someone has dementia, a severe learning disability or a similar condition, and gets a disability benefit

  Severe mental impairment: 25% off, 50% off, or no bill at all. It can be backdated for years. How it works

• Someone gives 35 hours or more of care a week to a person they live with

  The carer may not be counted, which can bring a discount. How it works

• A disabled person lives here and needs an extra room, a second bathroom or kitchen, or uses a wheelchair indoors

  Disabled band reduction: charged at one band lower. Not means-tested. How it works

• Your income is low, or you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or another benefit

  Council Tax Reduction can cut the bill, and on Pension Credit it often covers all of it. How it works

• The home is empty because the person who lived there died, moved into care, or is in prison

  The home may be exempt: no council tax at all. How it works

• Someone aged 18 to 24 has left local authority care

  Care leavers are exempt in Wales and Scotland, and most councils in England exempt them too. How it works

Not sure what you are entitled to? We can check for you.

Ask us to check, free

If you are behind

If you are a pensioner behind with council tax, check the help above first, as it may reduce or clear the arrears. Then agree an affordable special payment arrangement for anything left.

Where are you with your council tax?

Choose the one that fits best and an adviser will call you back. Free, confidential, and no obligation.

• I have had a reminder or a final notice A letter from the council, but no court involvement yet
• I have had a court summons A hearing date at the magistrates court
• A liability order has been made The court has granted the council recovery powers
• Enforcement agents have contacted me A letter or a visit from a bailiff firm
• Money is being taken from my wages or benefits An attachment of earnings or a benefit deduction
• I am not sure, or something else

Takes about 3 minutes.