Warning 'thousands' could be missing DWP cash after pensioner underpaid for 12 years
07.08.2023 - 14:53
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
An expert has warned that thousands of pensioners could be getting underpaid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It comes after one woman was underpaid on her state pension for 12 years. Daphne, 80, was one of thousands of married women who should have received an increase to their state pension by 60 per cent of their husband's payment once they reached the age of retirement.
While this top-up is something that has automatically been applied since March 2008, the married woman prior to this had to claim the boost - despite already applying for their own state pension. Former pensions minister Steve Webb highlighted that 'large numbers' of women are unaware that they had to make a second pension claim to get their uplift, the Mirror reports.
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Even then, some women have only been able to backdate an increase by a year, leaving the potential to miss out on many years of being paid the higher rate. Daphne won a case of maladministration against the DWP and has been awarded all her missing pension plus interest and compensation.
In August 2003, Daphne's state pension was only £38.66 per week due to a National Insurance record of 42 per cent. When her husband Tim reached pension age in early 2008, he applied for his own state pension.
By this point, Daphne became eligible for a 60 per cent married woman's pension. She would only have been paid this higher rate if she submitted an additional state pension claim form.
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However, Tim said he was informed on the phone that no forms were necessary. Because of all this, Daphne discovered she should