Winter Fuel Payment opt-out deadline approaches

Pensioners who do not want to receive the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026–27 have until September to opt out. The payment will be recovered through the tax system from those whose total income exceeds £35,000.

In England and Wales, pensioners who receive a State Pension can opt out through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Manage your State Pension service by 11:59pm on 20 September 2026. The same deadline applies to those using DWP's online opt-out form. Those opting out by telephone must do so by 6pm on 18 September.

Opting out will not affect entitlement to the State Pension. It also applies to future years, so a person does not need to opt out again unless they subsequently choose to receive the payment. They can opt back in to receive the payment for winter 2026–27 by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 31 March 2027.

For taxpayers with income above £35,000, HMRC will recover the payment through the tax system. This may be done through self-assessment or by an adjustment to the taxpayer's PAYE tax code. HMRC provides an online tool to help people check whether and how the payment will be recovered.

In Scotland, the equivalent Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is administered by Social Security Scotland. Pensioners wishing to opt out must complete the online opt-out form by midday on 19 October 2026. It is also possible to opt out by contacting Social Security Scotland by telephone, the same opt-out deadline, midday on 19 October 2026 applies.