THOUSANDS of poorer UK pensioners who have partners of working age could be about to lose up to £7,000 a year.

From May 15, new pensioners whose partners are younger than the state retirement age of 65 will no longer be able to make a new claim for pension credit.

Instead they will have to claim the less generous Universal Credit.

So if you have ever wondered if you could be eligible for pension credit now is the time to find out or it might be too late.

Benefitanswers are offering a free check which will tell you if you could be entitled to pension credit.

For your free check telephone 0330 223 4773.

JUNE BENNETT Benefit Information Services