Kathy
The rules on Deprivation of Capital are quite confusing and usually subject to the views of a Decision Maker.
Whilst I can't state it for certain, repaying a loan early is one of the things that is often counted as deprivation.
The savings limit for Pension Credit is £10,000 followed by a £1/week deduction for every £500 of savings in excess.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems