Martin Lewis says state pensioners are set for extra £667 after Winter Fuel Payment axed

Martin Lewis has urged state pensioners to consider deferring their payments - and receive a bonus £667. The BBC Sounds and ITV star has spoken out after the Winter Fuel Payment was axed by the new Labour Party government two weeks ago.

Mr Lewis said: "Defer your state pension, and the maths works out that if you live longer than typical life expectancy, you'll gain; if you live less, you'll lose. Live a typical lifespan and it'll be pretty neutral. So if you're in poor health, it's not really worth considering. If you're in great health with a history of family longevity, deferring could be a winner.

"Otherwise the real issue is tax – if you're earning or have a decent income now, but'll pay tax at a lower rate later on, then deferring can be very worthwhile." As long as you defer for at least nine weeks, then your weekly state pension will increase.

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For every 9 weeks you defer, you'll get an extra 1%, which is around an extra £2.20 a week. If you defer for a full year, you get 5.8% extra, which is £12.83 a week, the MSE guide on its website has gone on to explain to hard-up households.

MSE said: "On current figures, a one year deferral would net you an extra £667 a year on your state pension, for life. Yet, do note that to get this, you'll have given up £11,500 in state pension that you could have claimed in the first year."

The state pension can be deferred because you have to claim it - it's not automatic. If you defer for any amount of time, you'd need to live for around 20 years after taking your state pension to even out the amounts, Mr Lewis has explained.

That is around the time an average 66 year old is expected to live.