£8,000 in State Pension Back Payments Due for Women: Tens of thousands of women in their 60s and 70s could be owed an average of £8,000 in backdated State Pension payments due to errors in the UK government’s records. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has acknowledged that some women were underpaid their pensions due to missing National Insurance (NI) credits linked to Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP).
If you or someone you know was affected, you could be eligible for a significant lump sum payment to correct these past mistakes. Read on to check eligibility, how to claim, and what steps to take next.
£8,000 in State Pension Back Payments Due for Women
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible? | Women in their 60s and 70s who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010 |
| Average back payment | Around £8,000 per person (amount varies) |
| Reason for underpayment | Missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) records affecting State Pension entitlements |
| Affected group size | Approximately 370,000 women |
| How to check eligibility? | Verify National Insurance (NI) records on GOV.UK |
| Deadline to claim? | No strict deadline, but acting soon is advised |
| How to apply? | Contact HMRC or DWP Pension Service |
| Official sources | GOV.UK, DWP |
The State Pension underpayment issue has impacted thousands of women, many of whom were unaware that they were receiving less than they were entitled to. If you claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010, you could be owed a significant back payment of around £8,000.
To check if you are eligible, review your National Insurance record and contact HMRC and the Pension Service to request a reassessment. Taking action now could mean a lump sum payment and an increase in your State Pension for the future.
What Caused the Underpayments?
The issue stems from the way Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) credits were recorded. HRP was a scheme introduced in 1978 to protect parents (mainly mothers) and carers from gaps in their National Insurance record that could reduce their State Pension entitlement.
- Women who stayed at home to care for children or dependents were supposed to receive NI credits to maintain their pension eligibility.
- However, between 1978 and 2000, many Child Benefit claims were made without an NI number recorded, meaning HRP credits were never applied to their NI records.
- In 2010, HRP was replaced by National Insurance credits, but the missing HRP years still impact some women today.
As a result, an estimated 370,000 women were underpaid their State Pensions for years. The UK government is now correcting this error by offering backdated payments averaging £8,000.
Who Is Eligible for the Back Payments?
You may be eligible for a backdated pension payment if:
- You are a woman in your 60s or 70s (born before April 2010).
- You claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010.
- Your State Pension is lower than expected.
- You may have gaps in your National Insurance (NI) record due to missing HRP credits.
What If the Claimant Has Passed Away?
- If the affected person is deceased, their spouse, family members, or estate can still claim the backdated pension payment.
- Families are encouraged to check the pension records of deceased relatives to ensure they received the correct amount.
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Check If You Are Owed Money
If you believe you or a relative might be affected, follow these steps to check eligibility:
- Check Your National Insurance (NI) Record: Visit GOV.UK to view your NI contributions history. If HRP credits are missing for years when you were eligible, you could be owed money.
- Contact HMRC for Missing HRP Credits: If HRP credits are missing from your NI record,
- Call HMRC National Insurance helpline at 0300 200 3500.
- Request to update your NI record with the missing HRP years.
- Contact the DWP Pension Service: Once your NI record is corrected,
- Call the Pension Service at 0800 731 0469.
- Ask them to reassess your State Pension entitlement.
- Await Confirmation and Back Payment:
- If eligible, you will receive a lump sum back payment along with an increase in future State Pension payments.
- The DWP has stated they aim to process all cases by the end of 2025.
FAQs On £8,000 in State Pension Back Payments Due for Women
1. How much money could I receive?
The average back payment is around £8,000, but some individuals could receive more or less depending on their unique pension record.
2. What if I never received a letter from HMRC or DWP?
Even if you have not been contacted, you could still be eligible. It is recommended that you check your NI record online or call HMRC.
3. Do I need to pay tax on the back payment?
State Pension back payments are taxable, but the tax treatment depends on the amount and your overall income.
4. What if I no longer live in the UK?
You can still claim your back payments if you meet the eligibility criteria, even if you currently live overseas.
5. Is there a deadline to apply?
There is no official deadline, but it is advised to act quickly to avoid delays in receiving payments.
6. Can I get help with the process?
Yes, charities like Age UK and Citizens Advice can assist with applications.
