More than 100,000 pensioners will lose their Winter Fuel Payments next year due to the increase in the state pension, analysis reveals. LCP says over the next four years as many as 500,000 pensioners could lose their Winter Fuel Payments as a result of the threshold remaining fixed, depending on the rate of inflation. Winter Fuel Payments of £300 are made automatically to pensioners who haven't opted out, with the money later 'recovered' from those who aren't eligible. This would push their total pension income to £35,027, meaning they lose their entitlement to the £300 Winter Fuel Payment. The state pension is set to increase by 4.7 per cent in April next year as part of routine changes so that pension payments keep pace with inflation.