More than 130,000 pensioners have been underpaid their state pension due to administrative errors at the Department for Work and Pensions. The correction exercise, running since January 2021, has identified £804.7 million in unpaid arrears. Understanding whether you are affected and how to claim what you are owed requires clear, factual guidance.
How to Claim DWP State Pension Back Payments: Calculator and Claim Form
Money owed to individuals whose state pension was incorrectly calculated by the DWP, often due to omitted Home Responsibilities Protection or incorrect marriage allowance.
Primarily married women, widows, and divorced women over State Pension age. Over 130,000 cases identified as of March 2025.
Use the DWP online calculator or contact the Pension Service directly. Your State Pension statement and National Insurance record will show discrepancies.
Complete the DWP underpaid State Pension claim form and submit to the Pension Service. Backdating is limited to 12 months from the date of claim.
- As of 31 March 2025, the DWP identified 130,948 underpayment cases worth £804.7 million, averaging roughly £6,150 per case.
- The maximum backdating period is 12 months from the date you notify the DWP of the error.
- Most underpayments affect married women whose National Insurance credits were not properly recorded, including missing Home Responsibilities Protection.
- Checking your State Pension statement online at gov.uk/check-state-pension is the fastest first step.
- Widows and widowers have received the highest average arrears, at £11,725 per case.
- The DWP says it will contact some married women automatically, but other groups should check proactively.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total underpayment cases identified (Jan 2021 – Mar 2025) | 130,948 |
| Total amount owed | £804.7 million |
| Average back payment per case | ~£6,150 |
| Maximum backdating period | 12 months from date of claim |
| DWP Pension Service contact | 0800 731 0469 (England, Scotland, Wales) |
| Most common cause | Missing Home Responsibilities Protection for married women |
What is the DWP state pension back payments calculator?
The DWP does not offer a single official calculator specifically for underpayment arrears. However, actuarial firm LCP provides a tool to estimate whether you may be owed money. For general pension entitlement checks, the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator is available, though it is designed for Pension Credit eligibility, not arrears.
Where to get the DWP underpaid state pension claim form
To claim a first-time State Pension, you can request a claim form by calling the Pension Service. The form is sent by post. If you are already receiving your pension and suspect an underpayment, contact the Pension Service directly to report the discrepancy. The Age UK guide confirms that claims can be backdated up to 12 months from the date of claim, but not before you reached State Pension age.
Can I claim underpaid state pension for a deceased relative?
Yes. If a person has died and may have been underpaid, the surviving spouse, executor, or family member can contact the Pension Service. You will need the deceased person’s full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and date of death if known. The Homecare.co.uk guide lists these as the key details required.
State Pension Payment Dates: When Will I Be Paid After My 66th Birthday?
How long after my 66th birthday will I get my state pension?
You can claim your State Pension up to 4 months before reaching State Pension age, but payment does not begin until you reach that age. The first payment typically arrives within 5 weeks of your 66th birthday, and regular payments are made every 4 weeks after that. This schedule is confirmed in the official DWP easy-read guide.
What are the official state pension payment dates for 2025?
State Pension payments are made every 4 weeks, meaning your payment date depends on when you first claimed. There is no fixed calendar date for all recipients. To find your specific payment date, check your online State Pension account or contact the Pension Service. The GOV.UK page on payment timing provides the official process.
If you claim your State Pension after reaching State Pension age, you can ask for the claim to be backdated up to 12 months. However, it cannot be backdated to a date before you reached State Pension age.
Is state pension always paid every 4 weeks?
Yes, once your first payment arrives, all subsequent payments follow a 4-week cycle. There is no monthly or weekly option under the new State Pension system. You can check your payment schedule through your personal account at gov.uk/check-state-pension.
How to check the exact government payment schedule
The most reliable method is to log into your State Pension account online. You can also call the Pension Service at 0800 731 0469. The DWP does not publish a universal payment calendar because each person’s schedule is unique to their claim date.
Underpaid State Pension for Someone Who Has Died: What to Do
Who can claim a deceased person’s underpaid state pension?
The surviving spouse, civil partner, or executor of the estate can make a claim. The DWP requires proof of identity and the deceased person’s National Insurance number. This process is separate from the standard underpayment review, so proactive contact with the Pension Service is necessary.
If you are handling an estate and suspect the deceased person was underpaid, gather their National Insurance number, date of birth, and date of death before calling the Pension Service. The Homecare.co.uk guidance notes that these details are typically required to open an inquiry.
What information is needed to make a claim?
You will need the deceased person’s full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and date of death. If you are the surviving spouse, your own details will also be required. The claim can be made by phone or by post using a form sent by the Pension Service.
How long does the DWP take to process these claims?
The DWP does not publish a standard processing time for claims involving deceased relatives. However, the broader correction exercise has been running since January 2021, and the department continues to review cases. You should expect some delay, especially if records need to be located manually.
Can back payments include interest for the estate?
Interest is not automatically applied to back payments. The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group advises that you may request interest if the DWP has been delayed in processing your case, but it is not guaranteed. Some claimants have successfully received interest after requesting it explicitly.
If the deceased person was receiving the correct pension at the time of death, no back payment is due. Only cases where the pension was incorrectly calculated during their lifetime are eligible. The underpayment must have occurred while they were alive.
Who Is Affected by State Pension Underpayments and Why?
The DWP correction exercise focuses on three main groups: married women whose pension was not uplifted when their husband retired, widows and widowers whose pension was not reassessed after a spouse’s death, and people over 80 who may have been underpaid due to missing records. As of 31 March 2025, married women accounted for 47,004 underpayments with average arrears of £5,553, while widowed people accounted for 50,261 underpayments with average arrears of £11,725. Those over 80 accounted for 33,683 underpayments averaging £2,203.
A separate exercise is reviewing missing Home Responsibilities Protection periods. Between January and September 2024, the DWP identified 5,344 underpayments worth £42 million linked to HRP errors.
When Did the DWP Start Checking State Pension Underpayments?
- April 2016 – The new State Pension was introduced, and calculation errors began to emerge for existing pensioners.
- 11 January 2021 – The DWP formally launched a checking exercise to identify underpayments related to Home Responsibilities Protection and marriage allowance.
- 31 March 2025 – The latest progress report showed 130,948 underpayments found, totalling £804.7 million.
- Ongoing – The DWP continues to review additional cases; no official end date for the exercise has been announced.
What Is Certain and What Remains Uncertain About Back Payments?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The DWP has identified over 130,000 underpayments and is actively contacting affected individuals. | Not all underpayments have been identified – the checking exercise is still ongoing. |
| Back payments are limited to a maximum of 12 months from the date you make a claim. | The exact total number of people affected may be higher than reported. |
| If you are owed money, you will receive a letter from the DWP with details. | If you have not been contacted, it does not guarantee you are not underpaid – proactive checking is advised. |
| The largest average arrears go to widowed people, at £11,725 per case. | Interest on back payments is not automatically applied; you may need to request it. |
Why Have So Many State Pensions Been Underpaid?
Underpayments stem from two main errors. The first is missing Home Responsibilities Protection credits for married women who stayed home to care for children. The second is the incorrect application of the marriage allowance uplift, also known as the Category B uplift. Many women were automatically moved to the new State Pension without their records being corrected. The average back payment is around £6,150, but individual amounts vary. The DWP’s progress reports show steady identification, but some campaigners argue the process is too slow. This is a major public finance issue; the government has set aside funding, but individuals must know their rights to ensure they receive what they are owed.
What Do Official Sources Say About the Underpayment Correction?
“Between 11 January 2021 and 31 March 2025, the checking process has identified 130,948 underpayments, owed a total of £804.7 million.”
– GOV.UK, State Pension underpayments progress report
“The maximum period of backdating is 12 months, but a claim can’t be backdated to a date before you reached State Pension age.”
– Age UK, The New State Pension Amount guide
“You should contact the Pensions Service to see if your pension should be increased and if any backdated payments are due. If so, you should ask for interest.”
– LCP, Is your state pension being underpaid?
For the full official data, the DWP progress report to 31 March 2025 contains the most comprehensive tables and breakdowns by category.
What Should I Do Next to Check for Underpaid State Pension?
Check your State Pension forecast online at gov.uk/check-state-pension to see if your record shows gaps. If you think you are underpaid, call the DWP Pension Service on 0800 731 0469 or request a claim form. Keep an eye on official DWP progress reports for updates on the checking exercise. If you are a widow or divorced and were married before 2016, ensure your National Insurance record includes your spouse’s contributions.
Why are married women more likely to be underpaid state pension?
Many married women were incorrectly omitted from Home Responsibilities Protection credits or did not receive the correct marriage allowance uplift when their spouse retired. These errors have been common since the 1990s.
How do I check if my state pension was underpaid without contacting DWP?
View your State Pension statement online at gov.uk/check-state-pension and compare your current payment with the expected amount for your National Insurance record.
Will I get interest on the back payments?
Interest is not automatically paid. You can request it if you believe the DWP delayed processing your case, but it is not guaranteed.
Can I claim back payments if I am still working?
Yes. State pension back payments do not depend on your employment status. You are entitled to any underpaid amounts regardless of current income.
Is there a deadline to claim state pension back payments?
There is no fixed deadline for reporting an underpayment, but the backdated amount is limited to 12 months from the date you notify the DWP. Check as soon as you suspect an error.
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Oscar Brooks covers local business, housing, jobs and property across Hampshire.