Pensioners excluded from top savings account as they don’t have internet

A pensioner couple were unable to open a top-paying savings account as they don’t have the internet (Image: GETTY) A pensioner couple in their 80s were unable to take advantage of the current top-paying savings account as they don’t have internet access. They were planning to open an NS&I Guaranteed Growth Bond account, paying a market-leading 6.2 percent, which financial journalist Martin Lewis halied as “jaw droppingly outstanding” last week . A key advantage of the Guaranteed Growth Bonds and Guaranteed Income Bonds, which both pay a fixed 6.2 percent for a year, is a person can invest up to £1million and enjoy full protection for their savings, rather than up to the usual £85,000 limit. Mr Lewis urged savers interested in the account to sign up as soon as possible, as he predicted it would only be on offer for a few weeks. A Twitter user called Wendy (@wendyplatt) contacted NS&I to ask how her parents could open a Guaranteed Growth Bond account. She said they were in their 80s and were “not online”. The provider said in response: “The Guaranteed Growth Bond is designed to be managed online only, is this something they’d be comfortable with?” Wendy replied to reiterate that her parents wouldn’t be able to do this as they “don’t have access to online activity”. NS&I then responded with a link to this page which has a list of all its products. It also stated that Wendy’s parents could open and manage Premium Bonds , Income Bonds and an Investment Account by post. A pensioner couple were unable to open a top-paying savings account as they don’t have the internet (Image: Getty) Express.co.uk has asked NS&I for comment and if it has any plans to open up its online-only accounts so people without internet access can open and manage these accounts. There is a growing issue with those who do not have access to online banking as more high street banks close. It was recently announced , Lloyds, Natwest and the Bank of Scotland are to closes a total of 36 more branches. These are the 36 branches that are to close: Lloyds  Batley – June 24 Bexhill-on-Sea – February 6 Bodmin – June 20 Burgess Hill – February 12 Cradley Heath – February 8 Gateshead – January 9 Hailsham – February 19 Haverhill – June 25 Hertford – February 12 Llantwit Major – February 8 Withington – January 9 Nailsea – February 2 Portishead – September 9 Royston – June 17 Saffron Walden – February 2 Seaham – June 19 Stretford – March 12 Uckfield – February 1 Batley – June 24 Bicester – February 7 Bodmin – June 20 Cleckheaton – January 1 Gosforth – January 8 Hailsham – February 19 Hatfield – June 25 Leeds – January 9 Penzance – February 20 Sheldon – April 22 Stourbridge – January 10 Uckfield – February 1 Aberdeen – January 11 Edinburgh – February 26 Glasgow – February 5 Bank of Scotland Isle of Arran – January 31 Millport, Scotland – February 20 NatWest Princes Street, London – August 29. For the latest personal finance news, follow us on Twitter at @ExpressMoney_.