New research has laid bare the severe financial pressures forcing older people across the UK to adopt extreme cost-cutting measures this winter. A study by the charity Age UK reveals a hidden crisis, with pensioners taking "drastic measures" to make ends meet as bills soar.
The Human Cost of the Crisis
The stark statistics are embodied by individuals like 82-year-old Roger Cliffe-Thompson from Merseyside. Despite working five days a week as an activities co-ordinator in a care home, he struggles financially. His state pension and small private pension are insufficient, compounded by an interest-only mortgage he must pay until age 99.
To cope, Mr Cliffe-Thompson has adopted stringent saving habits. "If I have a bath, I save the water rather than pull out the plug," he explained. "That way I can use it to flush the cistern." He also rigorously limits his energy use to around £1.80 daily, relying on a heated blanket at night because it costs just 3p an hour.
He faces other shocking costs, like his car insurance quote rocketing from under £1,000 to £5,200 when he turned 80. Shopping around still left him with a £1,200 annual bill. He expressed frustration that getting the best deals now almost requires being internet-savvy, a challenge for many of his generation.
Shocking National Statistics
Mr Cliffe-Thompson's experience is far from unique. Age UK's research, published in January 2026, found widespread hardship among the over-65s:
- One in three are using less electricity over winter.
- 35% are turning their heating down.
- One in seven (15%) are bathing or showering less often.
- A worrying one in 20 are skipping meals due to tight finances.
The charity warns that about 1.9 million pensioners already live in poverty, a figure set to surpass two million in the coming years unless action is taken.
A Call for Action and Support
In response, Age UK has launched its "Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight" campaign. It urgently calls on all pensioners to check their eligibility for financial support, particularly Pension Credit, which tops up income and acts as a gateway to other help.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: "As a country we need to do a lot more to tackle poverty among older people... For any older person trying to live on a small retirement income, every single pound counts."
The charity's national advice line helped identify over £36 million in unclaimed support for 6,006 people in 2025, averaging £5,900 per person. They are urging every pensioner to seek a benefits check, apply early, and encourage others to do the same.
