Millions of UK Pensioners Could Be Owed £1,000s in State Pension Back Pay – How to Check and Claim

Thousands of UK households are being urged to check whether they’re entitled to substantial back payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), following a major error in state pension calculations that could affect an estimated 237,000 pensioners—predominantly women, widows, and those aged over 80.

The underpayment scandal, which the government has attributed to outdated IT systems and complex pension rules, has led to £1.46 billion in unpaid pensions—some of which date back years.

Who Is Affected?

The DWP began a large-scale review of state pension records after it was revealed that many individuals had not received the full amount they were entitled to. The following groups are most likely to be affected:

• Married Women who should have received 60% of their husband’s basic state pension.
• Widows and Widowers who were not given the correct inheritance rights to their deceased spouse’s pension.
• People Over the Age of 80, who were supposed to be upgraded automatically to a minimum pension level at age 80.
• Carers and Parents whose Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was not properly recorded.

How Much Could Be Owed?

According to data published by the DWP and reported by major media outlets such as The Independent and Manchester Evening News, the average arrears per group are:

• Married Women: ~£6,929
• Widows: ~£10,772
• Over-80s: ~£3,172
• HRP-affected women: ~£5,000

In some extreme cases, back payments may exceed £12,000.

Why Did This Happen?

The primary cause of these underpayments lies in the failure of government systems to update pension entitlements automatically. In particular:

• The DWP relied on outdated IT infrastructure that did not properly apply complex entitlement rules.
• The Home Responsibilities Protection system, used to safeguard pensions for carers and parents, often failed to correctly reflect National Insurance records, particularly for women who took time off work for family duties.
• Widows and those over 80 were not consistently upgraded to the correct pension tier, despite being eligible under the law.

These issues have been acknowledged in reports from the National Audit Office (NAO) and have prompted a full-scale correction effort.

What You Should Do If You Think You’re Affected

The DWP has already begun contacting individuals they’ve identified as being underpaid. However, many eligible pensioners or their families may not receive letters unless they are proactive.

Here’s what you can do:

• Check Your State Pension: Visit the Gov.uk State Pension forecast page to see what you’re currently receiving versus what you should be entitled to.
• Call the Pension Service: Dial 0800 731 0469 or use the official contact page to speak to a representative and request a review.
• Respond to DWP Letters Promptly: If you receive a letter about underpayment, respond quickly and provide any requested documentation.
• Use a Pension Rights Group: Organisations like Age UK or Pension Advisory Service can help guide you through the process.

How Long Will This Take?

The DWP’s correction programme is ongoing and is expected to run through late 2025, according to their most recent update. More than 100,000 pensioners have already received back payments as part of the review, but many cases are still pending.

HRP Errors Affecting Mothers and Carers

One particularly overlooked issue relates to Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP). This system, designed to protect the pensions of those caring for children or sick relatives, was sometimes not properly credited.

As a result, many women now in their 60s and 70s may have significant gaps in their National Insurance records—leading to reduced pensions.

The DWP is working with HMRC to identify those affected and is expected to make additional payments during 2025.

Final Thoughts

If you or someone in your family receives—or should have received—a state pension, it’s crucial to take action now. Delaying a review could mean missing out on thousands of pounds in back pay.

Given the scale of the underpayment and the number of pensioners still unaware, experts are urging families to spread the word and help elderly relatives navigate the claims process.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.