The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has come up with some great news for all the citizens whose State Pension has been underpaid. Pensioners born before 1959 will now have a significant chance to recover the underpayment. This initiative is a result of years of consideration and discussion on the uncovered miscalculations which affected millions of individuals, especially women, leading to underpayment of £4,200, though they qualify for more. This article delves into the background, scale, and what steps you should take if you feel you are affected.
UK Pensioners Could Be Owed £4,200
Over the years, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of the UK has been underpaying the State Pension to the retirees, especially women, which went up to £4,200. The main cause of underpayment was a system and administrative failure within the DWP, which included inaccurate personal information and failure in policy changes. Lack of awareness in the DWP system resulted in a major struggle for the pensioners.
Till now, the pension updates in changing marital status have not passed automatically, which means many pensioners did not receive the due amount, as the error went unnoticed. This issue was highlighted back in 2020, when the National Audit Office (NAO) investigated the matter and demanded a large-scale and open review from the DWP. In 2025, around £500 million has been identified for repayment, and the remaining amount is in line for review.
DWP State Pension Error: Background
| Article On | UK Pensioners Alert £4,200 Owed – DWP State Pension Error Explained (Born Before 1959) |
| Department | Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) |
| Country | UK |
| Beneficiary | Individuals born before 1959 who have claimed before 2016 |
| Most Impacted | Women |
| Payment Amount | £4,200 |
| Payment Date | July 2025 |
| Number of reviewed cases | 200,000 |
| Category | Financial Aid |
| Official Website | gov.uk |
Who is Impacted by the £4,200 DWP State Pension Underpayment?
The underpayment of the DWP State Pension has majorly impacted women who:
- Were born before April 6, 1953
- Have claimed the DWP State Pension before April 2016
- Have a spouse who receives the full basic State Pension
- Have not received the automatic uplift to the married woman’s rate, which is 60% of her spouse’s pension
A few other groups are also affected. It includes:
- Widows who have not reassessed their husband’s pension after his demise.
- Divorced Women: who have not recalculated the pension with the help of their ex-spouse’s National Insurance Record.
- Women above 80 years who have not received the full non-contributory pension.
By far, the average underpayment is identified as over £4,200, but in a few cases, the amount may reach more, especially if the issue continued for a longer period.
What Steps Should Be Taken If You Are Affected?
If you are affected by the underpayment, there is no need to apply for the repayment, as the DWP will review your records and further contact the affected individuals. However, if you still believe you are underpaid, you can follow these steps:
- You can get help from the online tool of gov.uk to verify your eligibility.
- Get in touch with the Pension Service by calling 0800 731 0469.
- Gather all the necessary information about your marital status, partner’s pension, and contributions to National Income.
If a person is qualifying, he can receive a lump sum amount at the rate of his previous pension, with the adjustment of monthly future payments.
What Steps Are Taken by the DWP to fix the £4,200 Underpayment?
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has been working continuously to correct the underpayments of State Pension, in which most of the women born before 1959 were affected and did not get the full amount under the old rules. Now, the DWP is working diligently to correct these underpayments to cover the backlog. Till 2025, the following steps have been taken by the DWP:
- Reviewed around 200,000 cases.
- Correct the underpayment amounting to £421 million.
Although the review is still in process, and aims to cover all the underpayments made. In a few cases, back payments are issued by the DWP automatically. But you must also consider the fact that there might be a few cases that have complexity, which can result in delayed payment. Though priority is given to the widows over 80 years and long-term married claimants.
How to Apply for the £4,200 DWP State Pension Underpayment?
Now, you must be wondering how to apply for the £4,200 DWP State Pension Underpayment. You must:
1. Determine your eligibility: The underpayment had majorly affected the women who had reached the State Pension Age before 2016. The other eligibility criteria include:
- Married women who receive less than 60% of their spouse’s basic State Pension.
- Widows whose State Pension did not increase after the demise of their spouse.
- A woman aged 80 or above who is not currently getting a minimum of £85 a week.
- Divorced women whose pension doesn’t reveal the ex-spouse’s contributions to National Insurance (NI).
2. Gather necessary information: You must have all the relevant information, such as your National Insurance number, as well as your current pension details.
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Homepage | Moyle-Council.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the State Pension Underpayment?
Women born before April 1959 and who have claimed for pension before 2016.
How Much Payment Will I Receive?
The average payment is £4,200, but it can change depending on how long you have remained underpaid.
Is There a Procedure to Apply for the Payment?
No. The DWP itself recognizes the eligible individual and will contact you directly.
How Much Will It Take for the Repayment?
It is expected that the review of payment will last till late 2025.
