The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that they could owe thousands of pensioners approximately £6,900 in back payments.
A huge error has meant that some women could have missed out on their State Pension payments, reports Somerset Live. Widows, divorcees and women who rely on their partner's pension contributions for some of their pension entitlement are the main groups likely to be eligible.
However, every woman who reached the State Pension age before April 2016 could be eligible. Women over 80 - regardless of whether they're married or not - should also look to see if they're owed a cut.
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There is £209 million in back payments just waiting to be claimed by those eligible. Reports have suggested that claims will estimate to £6,958 per case, although it can be higher or lower.
According to the National Audit Office (NAO), an estimated 134,000 pensioners have been underpaid the State Pension, reaching a total of over £1 billion after DWP mistakes.
Those who have been affected are women who retired before 2016. After this date, the pensions of those impacted were no longer linked to their husbands' pensions.
In the previous tax year, before the error was discovered, many women were receiving just £67 weekly from their partner's State Pension. Instead, thousands should have been getting £80.45 a week.
This would be 60 per cent of their husband's payment of £134.25 a week, the old full basic State Pension.
Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO said: "The impact of the underpayment of State Pension on those pensioners affected is significant.
"It is vital that the Department for Work and Pensions corrects past underpayments and implements changes to prevent similar problems in future."
The Government has confirmed that those who are owed money will be contacted to receive payment. However, over 40,000 people have now died while waiting for back payments.
In this case, the money would be handed to the deceased's estate. To find out if you have a claim, you can call the Pension Service at 0800 731 7898, or contact them by textphone 0800 731 7339.
The Pension Service will then advise people if they are eligible or not. You can also use the LCP tool, backed by former Pensions Minister Sir Steve Webb.
This, however, is a private service and is not linked to the UK Government in any way.
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