HMRC issue urgent warning to all UK pensioners this month

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is targeting state pensioners under 80 with annual incomes above £35,000 who received the payment in winter 2025.

Up to two million pensioners across the UK could be affected by the changes, with most facing automatic repayment through tax code adjustments.

HMRC said: “For a typical Winter Fuel Payment of £200, PAYE customers with income more than £35,000 will pay approximately £17 per month extra in tax during the 2026 to 2027 tax year to recover their payment.”

Attention Parents! Do you have a child aged 16-19? ⚠️

If you claim Child Benefit for them, you’ll need to let us know by 31 August if they’re staying in full-time education or approved training to keep receiving your payments.

It only takes a few minutes via the HMRC app or… pic.twitter.com/4J8z6HyjYS

— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) June 21, 2026

The repayments will be collected via higher monthly tax deductions.

The typical Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for pensioners aged under 80 who live alone and the charge will be spread across the 2026–2027 tax year through a change in their PAYE tax code.

HMRC provided an example to clarify how the system will work for a basic rate taxpayer:

“Your total income is £37,710.

“This is made up of £25,737 from a private pension and £11,973 from your State Pension.

“In December, you got a £200 Winter Fuel Payment.

“Your Personal Allowance is £12,570.

“This is your total deductions.

“£12,570 (Personal Allowance) – £12,973 (total deductions) = –£403 of tax free allowance.

“Your new tax code is K39.

“This means you’ll pay extra tax on £399 of income.

“You’ll pay around £17 more tax per month.”

The repayment scheme applies to pensioners across the UK, including those in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, the payment is known as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

In Northern Ireland, payments were issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive.

All recoveries are managed by HMRC, regardless of location.

Only pensioners who exceeded the income threshold and did not opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment are required to repay the funds.

For pensioners under Self Assessment who file online, the Winter Fuel Payment should be pre-populated on their 2025–2026 tax return, due by January 31, 2027.

If the payment is missing, they must add it manually.

Those submitting paper returns need to include the payment by the deadline of October 31, 2026.

HMRC has also issued a warning about potential scams targeting pensioners during the recovery process.

The tax authority urged pensioners to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious communications.

HMRC said: “To report a suspicious text claiming to be from HMRC, forward it to 60599.

“To report a suspicious email, forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk .

“To report a scam phone call, visit GOV.UK.

“If you have had money stolen, contact your bank immediately and notify Report Fraud.

“In Scotland, contact police on 101.”