The Parliamentary Ombudsman has launched an investigation into state pension underpayments that could affect over 100,000 married women. These women may be owed up to £10,000 each due to a “sexist” and “archaic” system. Before 2008, married women could claim a state pension increase when their husbands retired.
However, many missed out because they were not informed about the need to submit a second claim form. These forms were only sent if their husbands indicated the need for them on their own state pension claim.
Ombudsman investigates archaic pension system
Women who later discovered their eligibility could only backdate claims by 12 months. The ombudsman’s investigation will consider whether claims can be backdated over a decade. Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb estimates that affected women may have lost out on around £10,000 since their husband retired, with some losing even more.
Sir Steve criticized the system, stating, “In my view, these women fell victim to a fundamentally sexist and archaic system which relied largely on married men ticking boxes and passing on claim forms to their wives.”
He added, “The women I have spoken to are all intelligent people who do not ignore official correspondence and would clearly have claimed their uplifted pension if they had realized a second claim was needed once their husband retired. The fact that they did not know this was needed indicates a system which let them down and has cost them, in many cases, thousands of pounds through no fault of their own.”
The investigation will start with seven “lead cases,” but the outcome could affect all women left out of pocket. The ongoing investigation aims to address these failings and seek justice for those unfairly disadvantaged by the outdated system.
- DailyStar.”DWP state pension latest as £10,000 payouts could be owed to thousands of married women”.
- FinancialPlanningToday.”Ombudsman launches pension underpayments investigation”.
- Law360.”Parliamentary Ombudsman Probes Pensions Injustice”.