A STAGGERING £346 million of benefits is going unclaimed by nearly 200,000 pensioners in Scotland, a charity has warned.

According to research by Independent Age, the average pensioner is missing out on £2,199 a year in social security entitlements, ranging from pension credit to housing benefit and council tax reductions, but poor take-up could be leaving as many as 30,000 living below the poverty line.

The charity suggests that by enabling more pensioners to eat well and properly heat their homes, up to £90m could be saved in health and social care spending.

Calling on the Scottish and Westminster governments to produce strategies to boost take-up among older people, Independent Age’s Debbie Horne said: “With millions not reaching those it’s designed for, we need change.

“From the stress caused by not knowing if you can pay your rent, to not being able to turn on the heating in the winter, we know that poverty in later life can have a serious impact on health and wellbeing.

“That’s why it’s essential that everyone receives the support they’re entitled to.”

Scottish government Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “A range of communications and engagement channels are used to make people aware of the benefits they may be eligible for, including advertising, media relations, social media, outreach and stakeholder engagement.

“We would also call on the UK government to ensure they are also taking appropriate action.”

Insisting “supporting pensioners is a top priority,” a Westminster government spokesperson said: “The government wants all pensioners to get the support they are rightly entitled to and, thanks to our biggest ever pension credit take-up campaign, an additional 33,500 pension credit awards were made in 2025.”