The winter fuel payment will be paid to all over the pensionable age from November 2026. This payment will, however, be clawed back if an individual’s taxable income for 2026/27 exceeds £35,000, note this is not household income. If you do not file a Self Assessment, this will be recovered through adjustment of your PAYE tax code.
If you know your taxable income will exceed £35,000 in the 2026/27 tax year, it may be simpler to opt out of the winter fuel payment.
The deadline for opting out is midnight on the 20 September for pensions England, Wales or Northern Ireland who opt out using the ‘manage your State Pension’ service. Alternatively, there is an online form you can fill out.
You can also opt out via phoning HMRC’s helpline by 6 pm on the 18 September for pensioners in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Pensioners in Scotland have until midday on the 19 October through an online form or contacting Social Security Scotland.
If your taxable income subsequently falls below the claw-back threshold, you can opt back in before the end of the 2026/27 tax year (31 March 2027).
