Martin Lewis issues a warning to state pensioners born on or before September 1957

Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to state pensioners who were born on or before September 1957. The money-saving expert highlighted significant changes on its website after the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment for many UK homes.

“Until now, winter fuel payments of up to £300 have been made available to everyone over State Pension age (most recently this included those born before 24 September 1957),” he he declared. The alert sparked a notable backlash among the site’s users, reports Birmingham Live.

One angry reader commented: “You’re right, as a benefits adviser there is a fairly large percentage of people who are just a few pounds over being eligible for Pension Credit and as such are living on the edge the payment”.

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Another suggested: “Surely there is a trade-off where it’s either automatic if you get Pension Credit OR you claim it if your household income is less than £25,000? I agree that the current system in which very rich pensioners get it is unfair and unsustainable, but there are better ways of doing it.”

One person expressed their frustration, saying: “This is disgusting. £1 over the threshold and not getting it when things are so tight and the worst state pension around. I fear for our older generation. I choose again if I can turn on the heating or eat a decent meal.”

Another added: “I’m retired and have a small private pension. I’m over the threshold so now I pay tax. In no case does the total even come close to the standard annual salary income. I still have to pay for food, clothing and other bills I get free bus rides and prescriptions.

Another individual highlighted the impact on a particular demographic: “Looking at the same group of pensioners, my wife and I turned 66 this year, we’ve both had to wait extra years for our state pension, we’ve just qualified for a bus license (Wales, Scotland, London @ 60 though) and now no winter fuel allowance,” they commented.

Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, the online investment platform, said: “Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ shock decision to scrap winter fuel payments for all pensioners risks leaving some of the most vulnerable people no heating in the colder winter months.

“Under the current rules, these payments of up to £300 were paid to all pensioners born before 25 September 1957, but Reeves has now stipulated that the universal payment will be limited to those on benefits. The withdrawal of this vital support will apply from this moment. winter, meaning many who may have carefully budgeted their finances, expecting to get paid this year, will now lose out.

“When you consider pensioners were already queuing up to receive less as this winter is the first without the £300 cost of living winter fuel charge, the latest news will come as a blow at a time when many people’s finances are just beginning to recover from the days of skyrocketing inflation.

“While it is understandable that the wealthiest members of society do not need to receive an extra sum to cover their fuel bills, limiting this payment to the poorest pensioners could make life harder for the ‘just getting by’. Energy bills have fallen dramatically this year, with the Energy Price Cap (EPC) currently set at £1,568 until the end of September, nearly £1,000 below the previous government’s Energy Price Guarantee of £2,500. which ran from autumn 2022 to the end of June 2023. to help consumers cope with skyrocketing bills the EPC will rise by 10% on 1 October and remain high throughout the winter, meaning energy bills they will still be almost double their pre-crisis level, making them unaffordable for many.

“Unlike workers who can work extra to cover a shortfall, pensioners are usually on fixed incomes so they have to budget with the set amount they receive from the state pension and private pension. incomes just above this level are at risk in the colder months because they can’t afford to put the heating on.”