Britons are being urged to make a "five minute call" to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to boost their state pension payments by £80 a week.
Around 750,000 people across the UK are not receiving the correct state pension amount they're entitled to, analyst warn. This is primarily due pensioners missing out on thousands of pounds in unclaimed benefits and pension entitlements.
With more than 13 million people now above state pension age in the UK, many could be eligible for additional support they're unaware of through additional benefits, such as Pension Credit.
Pension experts from Spencer Churchill Claims Advice are urging individuals to check if they're receiving all they're entitled to.
Older Britons are being urged to make a "five minute call" to the DWP
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A spokesman highlighted Pension Credit as "worth around £4,300 a year on average" which also "unlocks other benefits like free dental care, help with rent and reduced energy bills".
Despite thousands being eligible, uptake remains stubbornly low with the Government launching a campaign to encourage applications following the means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments.
"A five-minute phone call could mean someone getting an extra £80 a week or more," the Spencer Churchill spokesperson added.
Analysts highlight that pensioners mistakenly believe that once they start receiving their state pension, this is all they can claim.
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Britons are worried about their pension savings GETTY Here is a list of the extra benefits state pensioners could be eligible for:
- Pension Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Council Tax Support
- Winter Fuel Payments
- Cold Weather Payments
- War Widow(er)'s Pension
- Free eye tests
- Free dental treatments
- Free or discounted TV licence
- Energy-saving home upgrades, such as insulation and boiler replacement.
However, the Spencer Churchill expert warned: "In many cases, it's not about complex applications or means testing - just checking your eligibility and submitting a simple claim."
Dean Butler, the managing director of Standard Life, previously explained why so many are missing out on their full entitlements.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Pensioners need to have 35 years of National Insurance entitlements to get their full entitlement GETTY"Around 750,000 people are not receiving the correct state pension amount either due to errors in National Insurance records or the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) not making adjustments when there's a change to your circumstances," he said.
Butler advised those who spent time raising children to check they received NI credit for this period. Women whose husbands retired from 17 March 2008 should ensure their entitlement was increased appropriately.
Those over 80 on a low pension should check if they've been assessed for the over-80s rate.
Universal Credit recipients are also encouraged to verify they've been receiving National Insurance credits.
