A former pensions minister is urging widowed women on the Basic State Pension (before 2016) who lost their husband, to check that they received an uplift from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Sir Steve Webb, now a partner at LCP (Lane Clark & Peacock) first highlighted the State Pensions underpayments two years ago.
During an appearance on this week’s Martin Lewis Money Show Live, which focused on State Pensions and how to maximise retirement payments, Sir Steve said the DWP is trying to find the women affected, reassess their State Pension and pay back any money they are owed. He urged anyone watching to check how much they receive and contact DWP to make sure it is correct.
The latest release from the DWP into State Pension underpayment errors shows that between January 2021 and February 2023, the administration exercise identified 46,716 cases were due arrears of £300.1 million. Arrears payments for widows affected by the error average £11,521.
