Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 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: (2) what her most recent estimate is of the number of cases of pensioners potentially entitled to lump sum payments of backdated retirement pension through payment of Class 3 national insurance contributions to take account of pensioners.

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