Thousands of state pensioners across the UK could unknowingly be missing out on lump-sum back payments averaging £7,800. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is now urging eligible individuals to take immediate action.
These underpayments stem from historic administrative errors, especially affecting women who claimed Child Benefit before 2000, as well as certain married women, widows, and people over the age of 80. According to official estimates, over 370,000 people may have been affected.
Who Is Eligible for the £7,800 State Pension Back Payment?
The DWP has identified three main groups likely to have been underpaid:
1. Married Women (Category BL)
Some married women were entitled to a pension top-up when their husbands retired but did not receive the correct increase. This primarily affected women who should have received 60% of their husband’s basic state pension.
2. Widows
Widows who should have inherited part of their late spouse’s pension may not have received the full amount due to oversight or miscalculation.
3. Over-80s (Category D)
Those over 80 may have missed out on the non-contributory state pension increase, especially if they did not automatically receive the benefit.
In addition, the Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) scheme, which was in place before 2010 to protect the state pension rights of parents (mainly mothers) who stayed at home to raise children, is at the heart of another major error. Women who claimed Child Benefit before 2000 may have missed out on HRP credits because their National Insurance numbers were not properly recorded.
How to Check If You’re Owed Money
The DWP and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have made it clear that action must be taken by pensioners or their family members to determine whether they are owed backdated pension payments.
Step 1: Check Your National Insurance Record
Visit the UK government’s website and log in to your personal tax account through the Government Gateway. Check for any missing National Insurance (NI) contributions, especially during the years you were eligible for Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP).
Step 2: Apply for HRP Using Form CF411
If HRP credits appear to be missing from your record, complete Form CF411, which is used to request a review of your Child Benefit-related NI contributions.
Step 3: Contact the Pension Service
If you suspect you are owed money or need assistance, call the Pension Service at 0800 731 0469. They can help confirm your eligibility and guide you through the process.
Real Cases and Government Response
The DWP began reviewing underpayment cases in 2020 after whistleblowers and investigations revealed systemic issues. Since then, hundreds of millions of pounds have been paid out. In some cases, pensioners have received back payments as high as £10,000.
The UK government published a detailed report outlining the progress on underpayment reviews up to March 31, 2025.
Despite these efforts, many eligible pensioners remain unaware they’re owed anything. The DWP is intensifying its outreach, asking people to proactively check and apply, especially women and family members of deceased pensioners.
Why Acting Now Is Important
Correcting your National Insurance record can lead to long-term increases in your state pension, along with a significant one-time payment of the money owed. More importantly, it helps fix an error that could impact survivors or loved ones relying on inherited pension rights.
While the government is reviewing cases, not all underpayments are being caught automatically. If you fall into one of the categories mentioned above or have a family member who might you must act to claim what you’re entitled to.
Conclusion
If you’re a state pensioner or know someone who is it’s worth taking a few minutes to review your NI record and submit the necessary form. With average payouts around £7,800, this isn’t just a clerical issue it’s a life-changing amount for many retirees.
