As of April 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is in the final stages of a massive multi-year correction exercise to issue state pension back payments to hundreds of thousands of underpaid retirees. The most significant payouts, often averaging around £6,929, are being issued to married women, widows, and those over 80 who reached State Pension age before April 2016. These errors, identified as part of the “LEAP” (Legal Entitlements Administrative Practice) exercise, occurred because the DWP’s computer systems failed to automatically uplift pensions when a spouse retired or passed away. Additionally, a separate correction is underway for parents and carers whose National Insurance records are missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP), which can result in arrears exceeding £5,000 for those who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010.
The LEAP Correction Exercise (2021–2026)
The LEAP exercise is the DWP’s formal program to identify and reimburse individuals who were underpaid due to historical system failures.
Key Beneficiary Groups
The exercise primarily targets three groups who reached state pension age before April 6, 2016:
Married Women (Category BL): Those who should have received a 60% uplift based on their husband’s National Insurance record.
Over-80s (Category D): Individuals who did not receive an automatic increase to the “Over 80” pension rate despite their age.
Widows and Widowers: Those who should have inherited a higher percentage of their late spouse’s pension.
Total Arrears Paid to Date
By early 2026, the DWP has identified over 130,000 underpayments, totaling more than £800 million in arrears. While many payments were sent automatically, the DWP acknowledges that certain groups, such as women who divorced after retirement, may still need to proactively initiate a claim to have their records reviewed.
Missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP)
A secondary but equally significant issue involves missing National Insurance (NI) credits for parents and carers who stayed home to raise children.
The Child Benefit Error
Between 1978 and 2010, Home Responsibilities Protection was designed to protect the pension rights of parents. However, due to a lack of National Insurance numbers on Child Benefit forms before May 2000, thousands of NI records are incomplete. In 2026, HMRC is still sending out thousands of letters to potentially affected individuals, asking them to check their records and apply for missing HRP credits.
Financial Impact of HRP
Correcting a missing decade of HRP can increase a person’s weekly State Pension by dozens of pounds and trigger back payments of several thousand pounds. This correction is particularly vital for women in their 60s and 70s who find their current pension is significantly lower than the full “Basic State Pension” rate.
Widow and Divorcee Specific Claims
Widows and divorced women are among the most likely to have been underpaid, as these life events often require manual intervention in the DWP systems.
Widows’ Inherited Entitlement
If your spouse reached pension age after March 17, 2008, and you receive less than 60% of their basic pension amount, you may be eligible for a significant back payment. The DWP has been prioritizing “widowed” cases due to the higher potential for large-scale arrears.
Divorce After Retirement
Women who divorced after they began claiming their State Pension are often “missed” by automatic DWP filters. If you are divorced and have not remarried, you may be able to use your ex-husband’s NI record to increase your own pension; however, you must contact the Pension Service to trigger this review.
Claims for Deceased Relatives
One of the most important updates for 2026 is the refined process for next of kin to claim underpayments for those who have passed away.
Next of Kin Rights
If a pensioner died before receiving their back payment, the DWP is legally obligated to pay that money to their estate. The DWP has launched a dedicated online tool and contact route for executors and family members to check if a deceased relative was part of the underpaid groups.
How to Initiate a Posthumous Claim
You will need the deceased person’s National Insurance number, date of birth, and date of death. Once verified, the arrears are usually paid as a lump sum to the executor of the estate, where they are then distributed according to the deceased’s will.
Practical Information and Planning 2026
If you believe you or a relative are owed money, use the following practical data to navigate the claim process in 2026.
DWP Contact Details
The Pension Service Helpline: 0800 731 0469 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm).
Online Eligibility Checker: Visit the GOV.UK “State Pension underpayment” page to use the interactive tool.
Postal Address: The Pension Service, Post Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1AF.
Current Pension Rates (2026/27)
New State Pension: £241.30 per week.
Full Basic State Pension: £184.90 per week.
Married Woman’s Rate (60% of Basic): £110.95 per week.
What to Expect
The DWP currently estimates that complex cases involving HRP or divorce can take 3 to 6 months to process. If you are owed money, the payout will be a tax-free lump sum covering the entire period of underpayment, plus a potential interest adjustment.
Seasonal Updates: Spring 2026
With the 2026/27 tax year beginning in April, all state pensions have been uprated by 4.8% due to the triple lock. This is also the period where the DWP aim to conclude the majority of the “Over 80s” correction cases. If you have not received a letter and believe you are eligible, Spring 2026 is an ideal time to perform a “health check” on your NI record via the HMRC personal tax account.
FAQs
Who is eligible for DWP state pension back payments?
Primarily women who reached state pension age before April 2016, including married women, widows, divorcees, and those over 80.
How far back do state pension back payments go?
Payments can be backdated to the date the underpayment began, often spanning years or even decades, provided you met the eligibility criteria during that time.
Do I have to claim the back payment myself?
Many payments are automatic, but if you are a divorcee or a woman whose husband retired before 2008, you likely need to contact the DWP to trigger a review.
What is the average DWP back payment amount?
The average payout for married women is roughly £6,900, while for those over 80, it is approximately £3,100.
How long does it take the DWP to pay arrears?
Once a claim is verified, payment is usually issued within 2 to 4 weeks, though the investigation phase can take several months.
Is the state pension back payment taxable?
While the lump sum itself is a correction of your income, it may be subject to income tax depending on your total earnings for the year you receive it.
How do I check for missing HRP on my record?
You can check your National Insurance record on GOV.UK; look for years where you had children under 16 but don’t have a “full year” of contributions.
Can men claim state pension back payments?
Yes, while women are the most affected, men over 80 who are not receiving the minimum “Category D” rate are also entitled to corrections.
What if my husband has died—can I still claim on his record?
Yes, widows are a priority group and can often inherit a larger portion of their late husband’s Additional State Pension or basic entitlement.
Will a back payment affect my Pension Credit?
Yes, receiving a large lump sum can affect means-tested benefits like Pension Credit or Housing Benefit; you should seek advice from Citizen’s Advice before claiming.
What information do I need to make a claim?
You need your National Insurance number, your spouse’s NI number, and your marriage/divorce dates.
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