Iain Duncan Smith: pensioner benefits are an 'anomaly' He added: "My view is pensioners don't have the one option that people of working age have. They really can't increase thier income, because they are no longer able to work. Work is transformative. It gives you a greater chance of a greater income. You can affect your life while you're of working age, so you have scope and opportunity. Pensioners do not. We do need to have a little bit more protection around protection and sensibility around pensioners. They are remarkable. They gave so much. We need to make sure we do our best by them. Mr Duncan-Smith is under pressure to find up to £10 billion in extra welfare cuts, after slashing benefits for working age people. He is reportedly sympathetic to the idea of cutting pensioners' perks but the Prime Minister is firm that he promised not touch their free television licences, winter fuel payments or bus passes. Nick Clegg, the deputy Prime Minister, has said giving away these benefits to wealthy pensioners is increasingly "difficult to explain."