The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a £562 one-off payment for eligible pensioners as part of targeted cost-of-living support. The payment is not a permanent State Pension increase and will not raise weekly pension rates. Instead, it is structured as a single instalment paid directly into bank accounts of qualifying recipients. While … Read more
The UK Government has addressed growing speculation around a potential £20,000 Personal Tax Allowance, confirming that no immediate change to the current threshold has been legislated. While the £20,000 figure has featured in political debate as a long-term ambition, it has not been formally enacted in tax law. The Personal Allowance — administered by HM … Read more
Several major UK banks have confirmed updated withdrawal safeguards for customers aged 60 and over, effective immediately. The measures are framed as fraud-prevention protections aligned with guidance from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), not as a restriction on legitimate access to savings. There is no ban on over-60s accessing their money. State Pension and private … Read more
The UK Government has confirmed that updated rules for the Free Bus Pass scheme will take effect from 21 February 2026, introducing tighter eligibility verification, renewal checks and fraud controls. The changes apply primarily to England under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS), though devolved administrations may review their own arrangements. The Government has … Read more
A confirmed £300 “pension deduction” has caused concern among retirees, but officials stress this is not a blanket cut to the State Pension. Instead, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will begin recovering certain Winter Fuel Payments from higher-income pensioners via PAYE adjustments from February 2026. The measure applies only to individuals whose annual taxable income … Read more
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that from 18 February 2026, a structured recovery process may apply to pensioners who have underpaid tax, with balances of up to £300 potentially collected through managed deductions. This is not a new universal charge and does not apply to all retirees. The measure is linked to correcting … Read more
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is preparing updated guidance from 2026 on how property ownership is assessed for means-tested pensioner benefits, including Pension Credit and related housing support. The changes do not remove protection for a pensioner’s main home. However, they are expected to tighten how additional property, rental income and released equity … Read more
Reports suggesting a blanket driving licence ban for over-60s from 2026 are incorrect. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has not announced any automatic ban based on age alone. Instead, proposed updates expected from 2026 focus on health-based assessments, clearer medical declarations and structured renewals, particularly where safety concerns arise. The UK Government says … Read more
There is no confirmed UK-wide £500 support payment for everyone in 2026. Despite widespread online claims, neither the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) nor HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced a universal £500 payment for all benefit claimants or pensioners. Where support worth up to £500 has been discussed, it typically refers to … Read more
Claims of a £422 monthly pension rise have circulated widely in recent weeks, prompting confusion among retirees. However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has not confirmed any universal £422 per month increase to the State Pension for 2026. Instead, the figure appears to reflect combined benefit entitlements in certain cases — particularly where … Read more