The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a financial boost worth up to £575 for certain State Pensioners, but not everyone will qualify. The extra amount applies only to people born in specific years and depends on how their State Pension has been calculated and uprated.
This update has sparked interest across the UK, especially among older pensioners who believe they may have missed out on money they are legally entitled to. While the headline figure sounds generous, the rules behind it are more detailed and often misunderstood.
In this article, we break down exactly who could receive the extra £575, why it applies to certain birth years, how payments work, and what you should do if you think you are affected.
What Is the £575 Extra Payment?
The £575 figure does not refer to a one-off bonus or a new cost of living payment. Instead, it represents the annual increase some pensioners receive when their State Pension is correctly recalculated or uprated.
In many cases, the extra amount comes from:
- Corrected pension records
- Late uprating under inflation or earnings rules
- Missing increments linked to National Insurance history
- Historic underpayments now being addressed
For eligible pensioners, the £575 is usually added over a year, meaning weekly payments increase slightly but consistently.
Why Only Pensioners Born in Specific Years Qualify
Not all State Pensioners are treated the same. The UK has two different State Pension systems, and which one applies depends heavily on your date of birth.
People born before certain cutoff years are more likely to be affected because:
- They fall under the old State Pension system
- Their entitlement relies on complex National Insurance rules
- Errors were more common in older records
- Uprating was sometimes delayed or misapplied
These factors mean pensioners born in particular years are statistically more likely to be underpaid.
Old State Pension vs New State Pension
Understanding the difference between the two systems is key.
The old State Pension applies mainly to:
- Men born before 6 April 1951
- Women born before 6 April 1953
Under this system, payments depended on:
- Basic State Pension
- Additional State Pension
- Marital and dependency status
The new State Pension, introduced in April 2016, applies to people born later and follows a flatter, simpler structure.
Most of the £575 corrections apply to people on the old system, where calculations were more complex and prone to errors.
How the £575 Is Calculated
The extra £575 is not a flat amount given to everyone. It varies depending on:
- How much you were previously underpaid
- Whether your pension was missing annual uprating
- Your National Insurance contribution history
- Whether you were entitled to derived benefits through a spouse
In many cases, pensioners receive:
- A small weekly increase (often £10–£12 per week)
- Which adds up to roughly £500–£600 over a full year
Some pensioners also receive back payments if the underpayment goes back several years.
Common Reasons Pensioners Were Underpaid
Several issues have led to underpayments over the years.
Missing National Insurance Credits
Some pensioners did not receive credits they were entitled to, particularly:
- Women who took time off work for caring
- People who claimed certain benefits
- Those affected by historic record-keeping errors
Marriage and Spousal Entitlement Errors
Under the old system, married women and widows were often entitled to higher payments based on a spouse’s record. In many cases:
- These increases were never applied
- Payments remained at a lower individual rate
- Errors continued for years unnoticed
Delayed Uprating
Annual pension increases should be applied automatically. However:
- Some pensions were not uprated on time
- Others were uprated incorrectly
- This led to cumulative underpayments
When Will Eligible Pensioners Receive the Extra Amount?
For most people, there is no need to apply.
The DWP has been reviewing cases and correcting payments in stages. If you are affected:
- Your weekly State Pension should increase automatically
- Any back payment will usually be paid directly into your bank account
- You may receive a letter explaining the change
However, not everyone has been contacted yet, which is why many pensioners are checking their entitlement manually.
How to Check If You Are Owed Money
If you think you might be eligible, there are a few practical steps you can take.
Check Your State Pension Amount
Compare what you receive with:
- The full basic State Pension rate (for old system)
- Any entitlement through a spouse or late partner
If your payment seems unusually low, it may be worth investigating.
Review Your National Insurance Record
Your NI record plays a crucial role in pension calculations. Missing years or credits can significantly affect payments.
Look at Your Date of Birth
Eligibility is strongly linked to birth year. If you fall within the older age groups, the chances of underpayment are higher.
Contact the Pension Service if Needed
While the DWP is correcting cases automatically, you can still request a review if you believe something is wrong.
Is the £575 Guaranteed for Everyone in Those Years?
No. Being born in a qualifying year does not automatically guarantee the £575 increase.
You are more likely to qualify if:
- You are on the old State Pension
- Your pension includes historic errors
- You were entitled to additional or derived amounts
Some pensioners may see a smaller increase, while others may receive more than £575 depending on how long the underpayment lasted.
Will This Affect Other Benefits?
An increase in State Pension can sometimes affect:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reduction
However, because the increase is relatively modest, many pensioners will see little or no change to their overall benefit entitlement.
It is always worth checking, especially if you receive means-tested support.
Back Payments and Lump Sums Explained
In some cases, pensioners receive lump-sum back payments covering past underpayments.
These payments:
- Can range from hundreds to several thousand pounds
- Are usually tax-free
- Do not normally count as income for benefits
The amount depends on how far back the error goes.
Why This Issue Is Still Ongoing
Despite years of reviews, the issue has not been fully resolved because:
- Millions of records are involved
- Some cases are extremely complex
- Older records are not always digital
The DWP continues to identify and correct cases gradually, which is why new confirmations like this still emerge.
What Pensioners Should Do Next
If you are a State Pensioner born in one of the affected years, the most important thing is not to ignore the issue.
You should:
- Review your weekly pension amount
- Understand which pension system you are on
- Check for any missing entitlement
- Keep an eye out for official letters
Even if you do nothing, corrections may still happen automatically, but checking gives peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
The confirmation of up to £575 extra for State Pensioners born in specific years highlights a wider issue that has affected many older people across the UK. While the payment is not a bonus or new scheme, it represents money that should have been paid correctly in the first place.
For some pensioners, the increase will make a noticeable difference to weekly income. For others, it is reassurance that long-standing errors are finally being addressed.
If you or a family member fall into the older age groups, now is a good time to review your State Pension and ensure you are receiving everything you are entitled to.