WASPI Women Issued Urgent £5,500 Benefit Warning
Millions of women affected by state pension age changes, known as WASPI women, are at risk of losing out on up to £5,500 in unclaimed benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Many remain unaware of their entitlements, according to a stark warning from financial experts.
Widespread Lack of Awareness About Entitlements
Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at benefits advisory service Money Wellness, highlighted the scale of the issue. "We see thousands of women approaching retirement who're completely unaware of what they’re entitled to, and it's not just a WASPI problem," she explained. "Women are often worse off because of career breaks, part-time work, caring responsibilities, and divorce, which creates gaps in pensions and National Insurance."
Lamb emphasized that many women do not realize tools like Carer’s Credit can help protect years spent caring, or that pension sharing on divorce can preserve entitlements. This lack of knowledge is particularly concerning as people in the WASPI bracket continue to face refusals for payouts from the DWP and the Labour Party government.
Serious Consequences of Missing Out on Support
The financial impact of missing out on benefits can be severe. Lamb warned that women are far more likely than men to rely on Pension Credit, with around two-thirds of claimants being women. However, an estimated 880,000 households miss out entirely on this crucial support.
Pension Credit can provide significant financial relief, adding up to £3,500 for single individuals or £5,500 for couples. It also unlocks additional help with council tax, housing costs, and energy bills. Missing out on these benefits can lead to years of unnecessary financial struggle during retirement, exacerbating the challenges faced by many women.
Urgent Calls to Check Pension Forecasts
With the state pension age set to rise to 67 from April 2026 and later to 68, Lamb stressed the importance of proactive planning. "It's vital everyone checks their pension forecast and National Insurance record," she said. "Rules change, and assumptions based on previous generations can leave people unprepared and facing financial hardship in retirement."
She urged those concerned about their retirement budget to seek free advice from services like Money Wellness. "If you’re worried about how you’ll make your budget stretch, speak to free services like Money Wellness, who can help you plan ahead and check you’re not missing out on the vital support that you’re entitled to," Lamb advised.
This warning underscores the ongoing financial vulnerabilities faced by WASPI women and the broader need for increased awareness and access to benefit entitlements as retirement planning becomes increasingly complex.
