According to the latest release from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), thousands of people on public pensions are ineligible because more than £1 billion remains unclaimed.
Married women, widows and women over 80 may receive more public pensions due to non-payment errors from January 2021 to February 2023.
The government department says as many as 237,000 pensioners have about £1.46 billion in unpaid wages.
The issue had a significant impact on women retiring under the old state pension system, as many women did not receive the state pension payments they were entitled to based on their husbands’ national insurance records. I’m here.
As many as 237,000 pensioners have about £1.46 billion in unpaid wages.
PA
Other women were unable to increase the weekly state pension payments they were entitled to when their husbands died.
Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, warns that DWP has “still a mountain to climb” despite progress in identifying underpayments.
“The DWP is making progress in addressing state pension underpayments, but there is still a mountain to climb,” she told the Daily Record.
“So far, around 47,000 underpayments have been identified and £300m has been repaid.
“However, with estimates suggesting as many as 237,000 pensioners with wage backlogs of £1.46bn, it is clear that this is not a situation that will be resolved anytime soon, while thousands of Pensioners are receiving less than they qualify for.”
She continued:
“Some people were unaware of the problem, but over the years many people who have contacted the DWP with their concerns have been told that they are fine with many persistent financial hardships as a result.
“These women are massively disappointed and need to be resolved as soon as possible.”
There are six specific groups that we strongly recommend contacting your pension service to see if you are eligible for a higher public pension.
Six specific groups have been urged to contact pension services
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These groups included married women whose husband turned 65 before March 17, 2008 and did not claim an increase to the 60% rate, and women whose pension was not increased when their husband died. Includes widows.
Pensions are now correct, but widows who suspect their late husband may have been underpaid while he was still alive, especially if he turned 65 after March 17, 2008, also confirm recommend to.
People aged 80 and over who receive a basic National Pension of less than £80.45, and women, such as widows and heirs of married women, who are now deceased but whose National Pension was not fully paid during their lifetime .
Also, divorced women, especially after retirement, check to see if they are benefiting from their ex-husband’s donations.
