State pensioners on track for a 4.1% boost next April may find their pay increase is entirely wiped out as they lose access to a vital means of support. With the release of the latest inflation figures, state pension payments will likely increase 4.1% next April in line with the average earnings growth element of the triple lock.
This means the full new state pension will go up from £221.20 a week to £230.30 a week, an increase of £473.60 a year. The full basic state pension will go up from £169.50 a week to £176.45 a week, delivering a £361.40 a year boost.
But in reality, many pensioners get less than the full amount, and as millions of pensioners lose access to the Winter Fuel Payment this year, worth £200 or £300, many people will effectively get no pay increase at all. Greg Marsh, CEO of AI money-saving tool Nous.co, said: “For millions of pensioners the increase will be almost entirely cancelled out by the loss of their Winter Fuel Payment.
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“This will leave significant numbers struggling to afford their bills just as we head into winter, so it’s crucial that people make savings where they can.” He urged pensioners to check if they can make savings on their energy bills with a simple switch, adding: “The cheapest way to pay for energy is by direct debit – households who pay by cash or cheque currently pay around £100 per year more than direct debit customers. Most households aren’t on a fixed deal right now and can save by switching providers with services like Nous.co. The majority can save the better part of £150 on their energy bills.”
Some pensioners may also find their payments jump up by less than 4.1%. Steven Cameron, pensions director at Aegon, explained: “A little-known rule is that any earnings-related element of the State Pension, relating to the pre-April 2016 rules, and top ups, are only increased in line with the rate of inflation and not the triple lock.
“Therefore, some may find their overall State Pension increase lags behind the 4.1% figure.” Britons face rising living costs over the coming months after the energy price cap increase from the start of October, with average bills rising 10% to £1,717 a year.
Another concern is that the rate of food inflation rose to 1.8% in the latest figures, meaning prices at the supermarket could go up. However, the Winter Fuel Payment is still going out to hundreds of thousands of pensioners, as those on Pension Credit will still qualify for the support.
The Government is pushing for people to apply for the benefit, which typically boosts a claimant’s income by £4,000 a year.