State pension replace as £800m blunder is found – verify should you’re hit | UK | News | EUROtoday
Thousands of pensioners throughout the UK might have been short-changed by the federal government in a state pension blunder value greater than £800 million. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been finishing up a serious correction train since January 2021 after figuring out historic underpayments affecting primarily girls.
According to the most recent official figures revealed by the DWP, a complete of 130,948 underpayments had been found by March 31, 2025 – with arrears totalling £804.7 million. The difficulty has affected married girls whose pensions weren’t accurately elevated when their husbands retired, widows who weren’t reassessed after their partner died, and over-80s whose pensions had been by no means uplifted as required.
According to PensionAge, £252.8 million has been paid to 47,004 married girls, £483.4 million to 50,261 widowed instances, and £68.5 million to 33,683 pensioners over 80 – with common payouts starting from £2,200 to over £11,700.
In a separate assessment, one other £42 million has been uncovered in underpayments linked to lacking information of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP), which impacts mother and father – primarily moms – who claimed little one profit earlier than 2000.
As reported by the Northern Echo, this determine is anticipated to rise because the correction train continues by means of 2025.
Sir Steve Webb, a former pensions minister who has lengthy highlighted pension errors, stated the state of affairs was “truly shocking,” including: “The vast majority of those who lost were women, some of whom were underpaid for decades or even went to their grave never paid the right state pension.”
He additionally instructed PensionAge it was now “highly likely” the ultimate invoice would exceed £1 billion as soon as all errors – together with HRP corrections – are addressed.
Rachel Vahey, the Head of Public Policy at AJ Bell, stated: “This is one of the biggest benefit scandals of modern times.
“DWP miscalculations have left thousands of pensioners – mainly women – short on their state pension payments.
“It is absolutely critical all those affected by this scandal receive the money they are owed as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
A DWP spokesperson stated: “Our priority is ensuring pensioners receive the dignity and security they deserve in retirement and that state pension underpayment rates remain as low as possible.
“We have now completed the vast majority of cases in the exercise as planned with a small number of outstanding cases due to further documentation needed from the customer.”
Pensioners who assume they could be affected can contact the Pension Service for additional steering. More data can be obtainable on the federal government web site at gov.uk.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2046316/state-pension-update-blunder-discovered-dwp