Married, retired woman? You may have been underpaid on your state pension
Did you know that thousands of women could be receiving far fewer pension payments than they should?
If you’re a married woman who retired before April 2016 on a small state pension, you could be due extra money once your husband hits retirement age.
This potential uplift refers only to the basic state pension, not any extra payments – but it could result in a substantial increase.
Married women who reached pension age prior to the 6th April 2016, and are paid less than 60% of their retired husband’s basic amount, could have received far less than what they are entitled.
Women who meet the above conditions should theoretically receive an uplift to 60% when their husband hits retirement age – but this automatic process has not kicked in for many of these women. If you are one of these women who retired between 2008 and 2016, you could be entitled to a year’s worth of back pay and an uplift to their pension thereafter.
Prior to 2008, married women had to apply for the increase – however, many women have suggested that their husbands did not receive the necessary correspondence from the government to action this, meaning that they missed out on thousands of pounds in the following years.
Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb has estimated that around 130,000 women could be affected by these discrepancies. To make a claim, you can contact the Department for Work and Pensions by clicking here.
Alternatively, if you would like further advice on your state pension and whether you are eligible to claim, get in touch with us today by calling 0191 258 6500, or emailing leigh@wadefinancial.co.uk