Each year around 175,000 people receiving DWP benefits go on to claim State Pension. To do this, they currently have to make contact with the Department and provide all their details afresh when they make that claim. The proposed change will mean that all existing DWP customers will be contacted by the Department when they approach State Pension age, instead of having to contact us, and, for some customers, we will pay their State Pension without requiring a claim, unless that person has decided to defer getting their State Pension.

This consultation is aimed primarily at national customer organisation representatives, but comments from all areas will be appreciated.