Are you being underpaid on your pension?
Women urged to run checks
WOMEN are being urged to check if they are receiving less than their state pension entitlement.
Some have been sent large lumpsum repayments from the Department for Work and Pensions.
The amounts for underpayments to their state pensions average £9,000 but some have topped £30,000.
New research estimates tens of thousands have not had their pensions automatically increased.
Consultants LCP, who ran the study, urged particular groups to contact the DWP to learn if they should be paid more. The categories are:
■ Married women whose husbands turned 65 before March 17, 2008, and who never claimed uplifts.
■ Widows whose pensions did not rise when their husbands died.
■ Widows with pensions now correct but possibly underpaid while their husbands were alive, particularly if the men turned 65 after March 17, 2008.
■ Over-80s women receiving basic pensions of less than £80.45.
■ Divorced women, particularly those who divorced after retirement, to check they are benefitting from ex-husbands’ contributions.
Also possibly affected are widowers and heirs of late married women, underpaid state pensions while alive.
The DWP is trawling its own records but this covers a narrow group. LCP thinks far more are missing out and says they should take action.
Ex-pensions minister Sir Steve Webb, an LCP partner, said: “I have no doubt this process will result in tens of millions of pounds more paid out.”
Pensioner Lynda Hallaway was paid more than £9,000 for missed income after an LCP website check.
Lynda, who lives near Hull with husband John, said: “I encourage any woman who thinks her pension is underpaid to get it checked.” The DWP said it had paid arrears so far and will do so for further proven cases.
I encourage any woman suspecting this to have the matter checked out
LYNDA HALLAWAY REFUNDED £9,000