Martin Lewis appeared on ITV this morning addressing the BBC TV licence fee.
The company recently revealed it would axe free TV licences for all pensioners, instead means testing the benefit to save a whopping £500 million of tax payer money.
However, hard-off pensioners who are claiming pension credit - a benefit created by Gordon Brown to aide struggling elderly people - will still get their free TV licence.
However, a number of pensioners are not claiming state pension credit despite being eligible.
Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert: TV licence advice - how to check pension credit
Today Martin said: “My initial response was that they have chosen the benefit which is one of the worst claimed benefits, which I find somewhat frustrating.”
He hoped the BBC used their resources to communicate that people should be claiming state pension credit if they are eligible.
He said 1.3 million homes are eligible for the credit, but don’t claim it.
He said: “40 per cent of those eligible don’t claim it.
“Let’s do this together,” he said, “let’s make this a sea change. Lets talk about this, lets make this a national conversation.”
What is Pension Credit?The credit is a supplement the UK pension and adds a little extra to the overall sum people get when they retire.
Pension Credit is split into two sections, Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
Guarantee Credit tops up people’s weekly income if it is below a certain threshold.
Savings Credit is an extra payment for those who put money aside for retirement, including pensions.
Martin Lewis state pension advice includes urging Britons to claim state pension credit.
Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert: TV licence advice - how to check pension credit (Image: ITV/GETTY)
Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert: Company
