Q You recently featured a letter from someone with a weekly State pension of £138.20 whose wife had a pension of £56. I am 83 and my wife is 75 and our pensions are £97.81 and £53.79 respectively. Can you explain the large difference?

A If you mean the difference between a man's pension and his wife's, it is because women claiming on their husband's contributions will only receive 60 per cent of the standard rate. If you mean the difference between you and the other reader, it is due to the State Earnings Related Pension (Serps) that is added to the basic pension of £79.60. As Serps is based on earnings since 1978, someone of your age will have earned less than a younger pensioner.

Q I am 66 and my husband is 57. He receives State Pension for us both of £161.53 and Industrial Injuries of £24.02 a week. Our saving are more than £16,000. Can we get Pension Credit?

A There is no upper savings limit for Pension Credit. It depends upon other income as well. In your case, you would qualify if your savings are less than £19,000.

Q Following a hip replacement, my husband needs help from me with bathing, dressing and personal care. However, I believe that I cannot get Carer's Allowance because I earn £456 a month. Is this right?

A Carer's Allowance is not payable to anyone with net earnings of more than £79 a week, but there are other conditions. One is that the person being cared for is receiving Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher care component of Disability Living Allowance. Has your husband claimed this?

Q I will be 65 next year and receive Incapacity Benefit and have savings of £47,000. Because of pain from a back injury sustained 30 years ago, I can only walk short distances before getting breathless. What extra benefit could I qualify for?

A With those savings you could not get any means-tested help, such as Income Support or Council Tax Benefit. However, the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance does not depend upon income and goes to people who have your sort of mobility problems. It has to be claimed before you reach 65, so do not delay claiming.