Crossword Genius

Fixed payment sees writers hit back (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pension

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'fixed payment' is the definition.
'pension' can be an answer for 'payment' (pension is a kind of payment). I am not certain of the 'fixed' bit.

'writers hit back' is the wordplay.
'writers' becomes 'pens' (writing implements).
'hit back' becomes 'ion' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'pens'+'ion'='PENSION'

'sees' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pension that I've seen before include "support for the elderly" , "Payment to traitor" , "what oldies may have earned" , "Payment to retired persons a continental boarding house" , "Nice little hotel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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