Almost a third of adults are at risk of missing out on getting their state pension due to a simple mistake, new research suggests.
Worryingly, 32 per cent of people in a nationally representative survey of 4,000 UK adults thought they would get the state pension automatically and did not need to apply for it.
Experts are warning there is a “danger” people could end up failing to get the payment when they become eligible for it.
Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, told GB News: “Worryingly, our research revealed that many people didn’t know that they had to claim their state pension, and there’s a danger that some could delay getting their state pension as a result.
The DWP writes to people a few months ahead of them reaching state pension age
PA
“The Department for Work and Pensions writes to people a few months ahead of them reaching state pension age to tell them that they need to claim their state pension but if letters go astray, or aren’t opened, some of those coming up to retirement may be unaware of what they need to do or even that they’re entitled to claim it.”
There’s a specific concern for people who are likely to rely solely on the UK state pension for their retirement income.
Ms Pennells said: “It’s a particular issue for those who don’t have any other income apart from the state pension and our research showed that one in five people who’ve retired are in that situation.
“I’d urge anyone who is four months or less away from their state pension age, who hasn’t received a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions inviting them to claim, to contact the Pension Service.”
The UK state pension can be claimed in a variety of ways – online, by phone or by post.
To claim, eligible people will need the date of their most recent marriage, civil partnership or divorce, as well as the dates of any time spent living or working abroad.
Applicants will also need their bank or building society details.
People who apply online will need the invitation code from the letter about getting their state pension.
People who apply online will need the invitation code from the letter about getting their state pension
PA
Those who haven’t got an invitation letter but are within three months of reaching state pension age can request an invitation code.
The rules on how to claim is different if a person claims from Northern Ireland or if they claim abroad, including the Channel Islands.
Research from Royal London found more than half of respondents who haven’t yet accessed their state pension have never checked how much state pension they are likely to receive.
The survey also revealed 45 per cent have never checked their state pension age, which has been rising in recent years and is set to increase further.
