Thousands of women in the UK are still waiting for money they should have received from their state pension. Even though the issue was discovered years ago, only a small group has been paid so far. This article explains what happened, why the money hasn’t reached many of these women, and what the government is doing about it.
What Is the DWP Pension Underpayment Scandal?
The problem started with the old UK state pension system that existed before 2016. A report in 2020 found that many married women were paid too little over the years—some going back as far as 1985!
In 2021, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said they would correct this mistake. They set aside £1.1 billion to fix it. However, only £104 million has been paid so far.
Who Is Affected?
This issue mostly affects:
- Married women
- Widows
- Divorced women
They were all part of the old pension system and did not receive the full amount they were owed.
Many of these women are now elderly and depend heavily on their pensions to live. So, this delay is causing stress and financial hardship.
How Many Women Have Actually Been Paid?
So far, only 12,379 women have received their money.
This means over 180,000 women are still waiting to be paid. These women are legally owed this money. It’s not a benefit—it’s their rightful pension.
Why Haven’t More Women Received Their Pension?
The government sent 370,000 letters to inform women about this problem. But not many responded. Here’s why:
- Many thought the letter was a scam.
- Some didn’t understand they were eligible.
- Others found the online claim process confusing, especially older women not used to the internet.
Former pension minister Sir Steve Webb said the system is too complicated and not friendly for senior citizens. He believes that’s why very few claims were completed.
What Caused the Mistake?
An investigation found several causes:
- Old computer systems that couldn’t track updates
- Manual data entry, which led to mistakes
- Poor checking and monitoring of pension records
Because of these problems, thousands of women were underpaid for years without knowing
What Is the Government Doing About It?
A DWP spokesperson said they are working to fix the issue. They have:
- Sent out over 370,000 letters
- Created an online tool to help women check if they are affected
- Launched public awareness campaigns
But many experts, like Sir Steve Webb, believe this is not enough. They say the government needs to reach out more directly and make the process easier and clearer.
What Needs to Happen Now?
Many of these women have been waiting far too long. They don’t deserve more delays or confusion.
The government should:
- Use simpler ways to contact and assist these women
- Allow for phone or in-person help, not just online tools
- Speed up the process and make sure everyone gets their full pension
It’s not just about money—it’s about treating elderly women with respect and fairness after a lifetime of work.
Conclusion
The DWP pension underpayment scandal is a serious issue. Over 180,000 elderly women in the UK are still waiting for money they legally deserve. These delays have gone on for too long, and the current solutions are not working well for everyone—especially for older women unfamiliar with technology.
The government must now take quick, easy-to-understand steps to fix this problem and ensure that every affected woman gets the full pension she is owed. After all, this money is not a gift—it’s a right earned through years of hard work.
FAQ’S
Q1: Who is affected by the pension underpayment?
Mostly married women under the old pension system before 2016.
Q2: How much money is still unpaid?
Around £1 billion out of the £1.1 billion fund.
Q3: Why haven’t more women received their money?
Scam fears, confusion about eligibility, and a hard-to-use online system.
Q4: What caused the pension underpayments?
Old computer systems, manual errors, and poor monitoring.
Q5: What is the government doing to fix this?
Letters, an online tool, and public campaigns—but experts say more is needed.