Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 24 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 March 2010. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 4 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

State Retirement Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) with reference to the answer of 23 June 2009, Official Report, column 817W, on state retirement pensions, how much her Department has paid out in such lump sums to date; how many people have received such payments; when she expects to complete the exercise; and if she will make a statement;

Answer: [holding answers 1 and 3 March 2010]: The Department has contacted 23,884 women with potential to benefit from paying class 3 national insurance contributions. For the period up to 22 February 2010, 12,924 women have received lump sums of backdated pension, totalling £10,138,932.00. Of these, 871 also benefited from arrears of state pension after correction of their home responsibilities protection (HRP).In addition, as part of this exercise, 2,360 customers were paid arrears of state pension resulting only from correction of their HRP. The total arrears paid resulting from correction of HRP is £1,488,244.The exercise has officially ended but customers have, by law, until 5 April 2010 to contact the Department so this figure may increase.

Secondary information