The UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has urged Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) women to check whether they are eligible for a pension boost worth up to £4,000. This comes after millions may have missed out on extra payments. WASPI Women refers to around 3.8 million women born in the 1950s who were impacted by state pension age increases.
Initially, the UK government raised the state pension age for women from 60 to 65 to align it with men’s. The Pensions Act 2011 further accelerated these changes, implementing a gradual increase in the state pension age for both men and women. Many women claim they were not adequately informed about these changes and had little time to adjust their retirement plans, leading to financial hardship as they had expected to retire at 60 but found they had to wait years longer to receive their pensions.
The DWP is urging WASPI women to check their eligibility for a state pension increase, as many may have been underpaid in past years. Women who are affected by these pension age changes may be entitled to a pension boost of up to £4,000 if they:
– Should have received a higher state pension based on their husband’s contributions. – Have been receiving less than the full state pension due to outdated calculations.
To claim the pension boost:
1. Check Your Pension Records: Log in to the government’s State Pension Forecast. 2.
Contact the DWP: If you believe you have been underpaid, you can request a pension reassessment. 3. Submit a Claim: Those eligible will receive a backdated lump sum payment and an increase in future pension payments.
Recently, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) ruled that the UK government failed to properly notify women about changes to the state pension age.
WASPI pension boost eligibility check
The Ombudsman recommended compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 per person, which could have cost the government over £10 billion.
However, in December 2024, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced that the government would not provide any direct compensation. Instead, the DWP argues that:
– Most women were aware of the changes, despite poor communication. – The financial burden of compensation would be too great for taxpayers.
– Efforts should focus on correcting underpayments rather than awarding blanket compensation. WASPI campaigners have called the government’s decision “a betrayal” and vowed to continue legal action. Many affected women have expressed frustration, warning that this could impact voter trust in upcoming elections.
Public outcry has grown, with affected women arguing they lost years of income through no fault of their own. While the £4,000 pension boost will help some women, it does not address the wider issue of lost pension income. WASPI women should:
– Check their eligibility for pension increases or back payments.
– Join ongoing legal campaigns pushing for full compensation. – Stay informed through advocacy groups and MP-led debates on pension reforms. Further legal challenges could force the government to revisit compensation plans, and political pressure might lead to policy adjustments in the next government budget.
More women may come forward to claim their rightful pension increases. The DWP’s call for WASPI women to claim a £4,000 pension boost is a step in the right direction, but many argue it falls short of true compensation. With millions affected, this remains one of the biggest pension controversies in UK history.
Eligible women should apply for pension increases, but the broader fight for justice and compensation continues.
Image Credits: Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
