The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially confirmed that nearly 500,000 state pensioners are set to receive a boost in their payments, following a detailed government review. This comes as part of the department’s effort to correct historical underpayments in the UK’s state pension system.
For many pensioners, this announcement comes as a long-awaited relief—especially for older women and widows who have been most affected due to outdated or incorrect National Insurance (NI) records and administrative issues.
Let’s break down what’s happening, who qualifies, how much people could receive, and what steps you should take if you think you’re affected.
Why Is This Happening?
The DWP began a comprehensive correction exercise in early 2021 to address errors in state pension calculations that go back decades.
These errors were largely the result of outdated computer systems and manual processing mistakes that failed to properly update payment amounts when people’s circumstances changed, especially in cases of marriage, divorce, or the death of a spouse.
The problem mainly affects older women who were entitled to claim a state pension based on their husband’s National Insurance record, but didn’t receive the correct amount.
How Many People Are Affected?
As of early 2025, the DWP has reviewed and corrected over 400,000 cases, and estimates that nearly half a million people will eventually receive back payments or increased weekly amounts.
According to DWP’s latest report (which you can find on gov.uk, these are the numbers so far:
- Women on a husband’s pension: Around 56,000 cases corrected
- Widowed pensioners: 49,000 cases corrected
- Over-80 pensioners: More than 58,000 corrections
Combined, these corrections have led to £571 million in arrears being paid to affected pensioners.
How Much Money Will Be Paid?
The amount each individual receives varies based on their circumstances and how long they were underpaid. Some people may receive a small weekly increase, while others might get a lump sum in arrears going back several years.
According to DWP data:
- The average back payment so far is around £2,000–£9,000, depending on the category.
- In rare cases, some pensioners have received more than £10,000 in backdated payments.
Who Is Most Likely to Be Affected?
Three main groups are being targeted in the DWP’s correction work:
- Married women who should have received 60% of their husband’s basic state pension when he retired (if they reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016).
- Widowed women who may not have had their pensions updated after their spouse’s death.
- Over-80 pensioners who are eligible for Category D state pension but were paid less.
If you fall under any of these categories and think you may have been underpaid, it’s worth contacting the DWP or checking their official guidance.
Do You Need to Apply?
In most cases, you don’t need to apply—the DWP is reviewing cases automatically.
However, if you believe you’re not receiving the correct amount and haven’t been contacted yet, you can:
- Call the Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
- Or visit the official State Pension page on GOV.UK
It’s especially important to reach out if:
- You’re a widow(er) and your partner has passed away in the last 20 years
- You were divorced and may be entitled to a pension based on your former spouse’s NI record
- You are over 80 and living alone with no recent pension increases
What’s Next?
The DWP says this correction exercise will continue through late 2025 and beyond. Their goal is to finish the majority of reviews within this timeline, but the process is complex due to missing data and the need for case-by-case assessments.
The department has also promised to improve its data systems and avoid such large-scale underpayment issues in the future.
What Should You Do Now?
- Check your pension statement online or request one if you don’t receive it regularly.
- Talk to the DWP if you think your pension isn’t correct.
- Inform family members, especially elderly women or widows, about this update—they may not know they’re eligible.
This pension boost could be a lifeline for many low-income seniors, especially at a time when inflation and rising living costs continue to pressure household budgets.
Final Thoughts
The news that almost 500,000 pensioners are getting higher payments is a welcome step toward fairness. While it’s unfortunate that so many were underpaid for years, the correction process is finally bringing justice to those affected.
If you or someone you know may be eligible, it’s important to stay informed and act if needed.