The UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has identified a large number of State Pension underpayments due to historic errors.
One major issue is missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) credits for individuals who cared for children or disabled adults between 1978 and 2010. This has impacted married women, widows, and pensioners over 80.
The correction exercise has covered more than 130,000 cases and total arrears in the hundreds of millions of pounds. On average, some affected HRP-review cases show arrears of about £8,377 each.
How Much Could You Get?
The amount of arrears depends on your personal circumstances — such as the number of missing HRP years, marital status, or age category. Here’s a snapshot of typical underpayment amounts:
| Affected group | Cases reviewed | Average arrears |
|---|---|---|
| Married women (old scheme) | ~47,000 | ~£5,553 |
| Widowed pensioners | ~50,000 | ~£11,725 |
| Over-80s category | ~33,000 | ~£2,203 |
| HRP cases (recent window) | ~12,000 | ~£8,377 |
Key Eligibility Clues
You may be owed money if any of the following apply to you:
- You cared for a child (and claimed Child Benefit) or for a disabled person during 1978-2010 but did not receive the HRP or NI credits that should have applied.
- You are a married woman under the old State Pension rules and did not receive the spouse-uplift you were entitled to.
- You are widowed and did not receive the correct share of your late spouse’s basic pension.
- You are 80 or over and were receiving less than the minimum Category D pension rate.
How to Check and Claim — Step by Step
- Gather your evidence: Have your National Insurance number, dates you claimed Child Benefit (especially if before 2000), and details of any periods when you cared for children or disabled adults.
- Contact the Pension Service: Call the relevant DWP helpline to ask for a review of your pension record, specifically in relation to HRP or spouse/widow(er) entitlements.
- If the person is deceased: If you are acting on behalf of someone who died, you can request information and ask for any arrears to be reviewed for the deceased’s record.
- Watch any letters from DWP: The DWP has been sending letters to thousands of potentially affected pensioners asking them to check their records — don’t ignore such communications.
- Keep full records: For any calls you make or documents you send, note the date, time, who you spoke to, and retain copies of every submission.
Why Acting Now Matters
Some pension records are older and may become harder to update over time. If you wait too long, you risk having incomplete evidence or missing the opportunity to correct the record.
The DWP is actively reviewing but there’s a limited window, so the sooner you act, the better to secure any arrears due.
Quick Checklist
- Did you care for children and claim Child Benefit before 2000?
- Are you a married woman under the old scheme who might have missed a spouse uplift?
- Are you widowed and unsure whether you got the correct share of your spouse’s pension?
- Are you 80+ and receiving less than the minimum Category D rate?
If you check “yes” to any of these, you should ask for a review of your State Pension.
Thousands of people could reclaim substantial sums because of historic mistakes made by the DWP in calculating State Pension entitlements.
With average arrears in corrected HRP cases around £8,377, it could be life-changing money.
Collect your evidence, check your history, and contact the Pension Service without delay to ensure you receive everything you’re owed.
FAQs
How long does a claim take to process?
The processing time varies depending on the complexity of your case and how quickly you provide supporting evidence. It’s wise to keep a record of all communications and follow up if you don’t hear anything after several months.
Can my family claim if I have died?
Yes. If you’re acting for someone who has passed away and they may have had underpaid pension entitlements, you can ask the Pension Service to investigate the deceased person’s record and seek arrears on their behalf.
What documents help my claim?
Key documents include your National Insurance number, Child Benefit records (especially before May 2000), proof of caregiving periods (caring for children or disabled persons), marital and widow(er) status, and pension statements showing your payments under the old scheme.
