Martin Lewis warns any state pensioner who's on the 'old' State Pension

There are two state pension rates - the basic, or old, and the new, both paid out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to those who are eligible.

Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to state pensioners on the "old" state pension. There are two state pension rates - the basic, or old, and the new, both paid out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to those who are eligible.

Speaking out with a warning, ITV and BBC star Mr Lewis issued an urgent warning to those on 'old state pension' after cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment, which was a £300 payment giving to all until this year, when the new Labour Party government changed the criteria.

Speaking on ITV Good Morning Britain, Mr Lewis voiced his fear for the estimated 880,000 pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit but have not applied, describing them as "among the poorest in society". Mr Lewis urged those on the basic state pension to contact the Pension Credit hotline if their weekly income is less than £218 or they're on the basic state pension.

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He told co-host Susanna Reid: "You will almost certainly qualify for Pension Credit which will then top up your weekly income and also qualify you for the £300 Winter Fuel Payment." The State Pension increased by 8.5%, in line with average earnings growth between May-July 2023, which is the second-biggest increase to the State Pension on record.

The rise was confirmed in last year's Autumn Statement and affects people eligible for the new flat-rate State Pension, which was introduced in April 2016, or the older basic State Pension. The rise means that those qualifying for a full new State Pension can now receive £221.20 a week (up from £203.85).

And those who reached State Pension age before April 2016, who are on the older basic State Pension, now receive £169.50 – up from £156.20. The amount of State Pension you receive is based on the number of years of National Insurance (NI) contributions you have paid or been credited with and when you start claiming it.