Underpaid State Pension Calculator
Over £800 million has been identified in state pension underpayments since 2021. This free calculator helps determine if you may be entitled to additional state pension payments, particularly if you are a married woman, widow, widower, or pensioner over 80.
Check Your State Pension Entitlement
Who May Be Affected
Married Women
Women who reached state pension age before April 2016 may be entitled to 60% of their husband’s basic state pension if their own pension is lower. Many weren’t automatically awarded this increase.
Widows and Widowers
You may inherit part of your late spouse’s state pension. This includes basic state pension up to £176.45 per week plus 50-100% of their additional state pension (SERPS/S2P).
Over-80s
Everyone over 80 is entitled to at least £105.70 per week in state pension, regardless of their National Insurance record, provided they meet residence requirements.
Missing Home Responsibilities Protection
Parents and carers between 1978-2010 should have received credits protecting their state pension. Many are missing these credits, particularly Child Benefit claims before 2000.
Current State Pension Rates
| Pension Type | Weekly Amount (2025) | Who Eligible |
|---|---|---|
| New State Pension (full) | £230.25 | Reached pension age after 6 April 2016 |
| Basic State Pension (full) | £176.45 | Reached pension age before 6 April 2016 |
| Married Woman’s Rate | £105.87 (60% of basic) | Married women under old system |
| Over-80s Pension | £105.70 | Everyone over 80 meeting residence test |
How State Pension Underpayments Occur
Computer System Errors
The Department for Work and Pensions has admitted that historical computer systems failed to automatically apply pension increases when circumstances changed. This particularly affected:
- Married women when their husband reached state pension age
- Widows who should have inherited their spouse’s pension
- People over 80 not receiving the minimum pension
National Insurance Record Errors
The main cause of underpayments relates to incorrect recording of National Insurance contributions. Common issues include:
- Missing Home Responsibilities Protection credits
- Child Benefit claims not linked to NI records (pre-2000)
- Failure to update records when marital status changed
Manual Processing Failures
Before 2008, many pension increases required manual claims. After 2008, these should have been automatic, but system failures meant many people missed out on rightful increases.
Steps to Check Your State Pension
- Get your State Pension statement: Visit gov.uk or call the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175
- Check your National Insurance record: Look for gaps or missing credits, particularly for years when you cared for children
- Review significant life events: Marriage, death of spouse, divorce, reaching age 80
- Calculate expected entitlement: Use this calculator and compare with your actual payments
- Contact DWP if needed: Call the State Pension claim line on 0800 731 0469
Common Scenarios for Underpayment
Married Women Scenario
Sarah reached state pension age in 2010 with a low pension of £45 per week. Her husband retired in 2007. She should have automatically received 60% of his basic state pension (£105.87 in 2025), but her pension was never increased. She’s been underpaid approximately £60 per week for 15 years, totalling over £46,000.
Widow Inheritance Scenario
Margaret’s husband died in 2015. She continued receiving her small personal pension of £30 per week but never inherited her husband’s state pension. She should receive the full basic state pension of £176.45 plus 50% of his additional pension. The underpayment could exceed £7,000 per year.
Home Responsibilities Protection Scenario
Linda claimed Child Benefit in the 1980s and 1990s but didn’t include her National Insurance number on early claims. Her NI record shows gaps that should be filled with HRP credits. Each missing year could reduce her pension by £4-6 per week, totalling thousands in underpayments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Underpayments vary significantly. The average underpayment for married women is £5,553, while some individuals have received over £35,000 in backdated payments. The amount depends on how long you’ve been underpaid and the weekly shortfall.
The DWP is reviewing certain categories automatically, including widows and some married women. However, many groups, such as married women whose husbands retired before 2008, must contact the DWP themselves.
Yes, heirs can claim underpaid state pension for deceased relatives. Contact the DWP with the person’s full details including National Insurance number, dates of birth and death, and marital history.
There’s no specific time limit mentioned by the DWP for claiming underpaid state pension. However, it’s advisable to act promptly once you identify a potential underpayment.
Gather marriage certificates, death certificates (if applicable), National Insurance numbers for you and your spouse, and any pension correspondence. The DWP can often access historical records, but having documents helps speed up the process.
Backdated state pension payments might affect means-tested benefits. Inform the relevant benefit offices about any lump sum payments you receive to avoid overpayment issues.
Taking Action
Who to Contact
- State Pension underpayments: 0800 731 0469
- Future Pension Centre: 0800 731 0175
- Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
- Textphone: 0800 731 0464
Information to Provide
When contacting the DWP, have ready:
- Your National Insurance number
- Full name and date of birth
- Spouse’s details (if applicable)
- Marriage/death certificates
- Current pension amount
Professional Help
Consider seeking help from:
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Pension Wise (free government service)
- Independent financial advisers
- Specialist pension consultancies
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on typical scenarios and current regulations. Individual circumstances vary, and professional advice should be sought for specific situations. Always verify calculations with the DWP or qualified pension advisers.
References
- Department for Work and Pensions. (2024). State Pension underpayments: progress on cases reviewed to 31 March 2025. Available at: gov.uk/government/publications/state-pension-underpayments-progress-on-cases-reviewed-to-31-march-2025
- HM Government. (2025). Fraud and error in the benefit system, Financial Year ending 2025. Available at: gov.uk/government/statistics/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-financial-year-2024-to-2025-estimates
- Lane Clark & Peacock LLP. (2020). Is your state pension being underpaid? Available at: lcp.com/en/our-impact/is-your-state-pension-being-underpaid
- Citizens Advice. (2024). State pension guidance. Available at: citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/pensions/types-of-pension/state-pension
- National Audit Office. (2021). Investigation into the underpayment of State Pension. Available at: nao.org.uk
- DWP. (2025). Your State Pension explained. Available at: gov.uk/government/publications/your-new-state-pension-explained/your-state-pension-explained
- HM Government. (2024). Home Responsibilities Protection: Overview. Available at: gov.uk/home-responsibilities-protection-hrp