Hundreds of thousands of older women could receive a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) this winter. The messages will inform many that their National Insurance (NI) record may contain missing periods of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP).
This could have affected the level of Basic or New State Pension they are entitled to. The Treasury began issuing these letters over a year ago and is working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to rectify any administrative errors as swiftly as possible.
Approximately 210,000 older individuals - predominantly women - are due a share of underpayments totalling £1.5 billion. That's equivalent to around £5,000 each.
Those affected by the error are expected to receive any back payments by the end of next year. The DWP has previously stated that those closest to the State Pension age in their 60s and 70s are being issued letters first.