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Need an expert to help with state pension underpayment awareness

Journalist: Samantha Downes

ended 25. May 2025

Just wondering I need an expert who doesn't mind saying something obvious. It's on the DWP/HMRC underpayment of women's pensions.

From the review the DWP/HMRC have noted many of the women relied on family members - so I started a write a story saying family members urged to get their mum's to open and reply to the HMRC letter.

HMRC has noted many  women were worried it was a scam. This could make a good useful story and it give me a happy 'to-do headline' that might even help these women.

It's along the lines of adult children urged to make sure their mother replies to an HMRC letter that could result in a backdate state pension payment!

2 responses from the Newspage community

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Editor
Rob Mansfield
Independent Financial Advisor at Rootes Wealth Management
One of the first things I do with new clients is ask them to get a State Pension forecast and a National Insurance history and then work through them to check that they're accurate. Mistakes happen all the time through incorrect tax codes, credits not being properly applied to state pension. Women tend to have more complicated scenarios than men through historical reliance on a husbands contributions to taking time off work to raise children and so the risk of an error is so much greater. It is always worth double checking your record and querying things that don't look right. If HMRC or the DWP have written to you or your mum, don't ignore it. With the cost of living increasing, it might make life that little bit easier.
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Editor
Riz Malik
Independent Financial Adviser at R3 Wealth
It’s easy to dismiss an unexpected letter as a scam, especially for those who rarely receive mail from HMRC. A quick check from family could make all the difference. It might just uncover a backdated pension payment worth thousands.