DWP Pension Expert warns Brits to urged pensioners to check their annual uprating letter for errors

Many UK pensioners could be owed thousands by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) due to historical underpayments.

• Sandra Wrench, a former DWP employee, has urged pensioners to check their annual uprating letter for errors.
• The DWP and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are currently reviewing tens of thousands of cases.
• Back payments averaging £11,905 are potentially owed to pensioners.

Let’s explore who may be affected, how to check for underpayments, and what steps to take to claim missing pension payments.

Who Might Be Owed Money?

The issue mainly affects pensioners who retired before April 2016 and are on the Basic State Pension.

• 13 million people in the UK currently receive the State Pension.
• The DWP is investigating cases for possible errors.
• Those affected include:
  • Married women
  • Divorced women
  • Widows
  • Over-80s
  • Those who had children before 1978

How Much Could You Be Owed?

• Some pensioners could receive back payments of up to £11,905.
• From April 2025, pension rates will increase:
  • Full Basic State Pension: £176.45 per week (up from £169.50)
  • 60% Married Women’s Pension: £105.70 per week (up from £101.55)
  • Over-80s Pension: £101.80 per week (including 25p age addition)

Additional and graduated pensions will be paid on top of these amounts.

DWP Extra £470 a year from April 6, 2025: Govt also confirmed a 4.1% increase to the basic and new State Pension

Key Areas Where Pensioners May Be Underpaid

1. Married Women and Over-80s

• Married women should receive at least 60% of their husband’s Basic State Pension.
• Over-80s should receive a minimum of £101.80 per week (including the 25p age addition).

What to do?

• Check your pension amount against these rates.
• If underpaid, contact the DWP at 0800 731 0469 and request a review.

2. Women Who Had Children Before 1978

• Before 1978, women staying at home to care for children had no pension protection.
• Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was introduced in 1978 but many women did not have HRP added to their National Insurance (NI) records.
• After 2010, HRP was replaced by NI credits (but only until the child turned 12).

What to do?

• Check your National Insurance record for missing HRP credits.
• If there are gaps, contact HMRC at 0300 200 3500 to request a correction.

3. Divorced Women

• If a woman got divorced after claiming her State Pension, she must inform the DWP.
• If she has less than a full Basic State Pension, it could be increased using her ex-husband’s National Insurance contributions.

What to do?

• Call the DWP at 0800 731 0469 to update your records.
• Send a copy of your decree absolute to the DWP as proof of divorce.

4. Bereavement Support Payment

• This benefit replaced Widows Benefits in 2017.
• Must be claimed within three months of a spouse or civil partner’s death to get the full amount.
• Claims can still be made up to 21 months after death, but fewer payments will be received.
• Cohabiting parents with dependent children became eligible from February 9, 2023.

What to do?

• Call the Basic State Pension helpline at 0800 151 2012 for assistance.

How to Check and Claim Missing Payments

Step 1: Review Your Annual Pension Letter

• Check your payment amount against the expected rates.
• Look for missing additional pension elements.

Step 2: Contact the DWP or HMRC If You Spot an Issue

• DWP State Pension Underpayments Helpline: 0800 731 0469
• HMRC National Insurance Helpline (for HRP issues): 0300 200 3500

Step 3: Gather Necessary Documents

• National Insurance records
• Marriage/divorce certificates (if applicable)
• Child Benefit records (if applicable)

Step 4: Request a Formal Pension Review

• If you suspect you’ve been underpaid, request a full pension review from the DWP.

Government Action and Future Increases

The UK government has confirmed:

• Over 12 million pensioners will benefit from the 4.1% increase in April 2025.
• The DWP is actively investigating underpayments, but pensioners must take action themselves to ensure they receive what they are owed.

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John

Jhon is a Tech and Auto news writer at JK News, known for delivering accurate, engaging, and well-researched content on the latest trends, gadgets, and innovations.