Delay in first payment of state pension

EwanHusarmi

I was 66 in January and was expecting my first state pension as I applied for it last October. I managed to get through and they told me there are delays. Have many others found this? Why are they holding back payment to new pensioners.

Marcon

EwanHusarmi said:

I was 66 in January and was expecting my first state pension as I applied for it last October. I managed to get through and they told me there are delays. Have many others found this? Why are they holding back payment to new pensioners.

They aren't. Like every other organisation in the country, they are impacted by COVID and things are taking longer. In normal circumstances your first payment should be within 5 weeks of reaching state pension age, and then every 4 weeks from then on. If you didn't reach SPA until January (particularly late January), then the delay isn't as bad as it probably feels.

xylophone

I was 66 in January and was expecting my first state pension as I applied for it last October. 

https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/what-youll-get

After you’ve made a claim you’ll get a letter about your payments.

The new State Pension is usually paid every 4 weeks into an account of your choice. You’re paid in arrears (for the last 4 weeks, not the coming 4 weeks).

There are different rules if you live abroad.

Your first payment

Your first payment will be within 5 weeks of reaching State Pension age. You’ll get a full payment every 4 weeks after that.

You might get part of a payment before your first full payment. The letter will tell you what to expect.

Did you receive such a letter? What exactly did it say?

EwanHusarmi

No letter received. 66th birthday was 25/01/21. It’s now 10 th March ( well over 5 weeks) and still no letter or payment . I applied last October. They say it’s being dealt with and there are delays by staff ‘in the back room’. I think it’s deliberately being withheld, and am interested to know how widespread this is.

molerat

MrsM was 66 in February, applied last Oct and got her first payment end of Feb. Letter with date and amount of first payment was received end of Oct.

JGB1955

My 66th birthday was on 5th January.  I had a letter dated 7 September inviting me to apply for my pension (which I did online) and a further letter dated 11 September confirming that the first payment would be  made on 14 January.  So, a very smooth process for me.

1931modela

Same for me, reached SPA on 24th Dec and received first payment on the 31st Dec 20 and then 4 weeks later the next 

Marcon

EwanHusarmi said:

No letter received. 66th birthday was 25/01/21. It’s now 10 th March ( well over 5 weeks) and still no letter or payment . I applied last October. They say it’s being dealt with and there are delays by staff ‘in the back room’. I think it’s deliberately being withheld, and am interested to know how widespread this is.

Why do you think it is being 'deliberately withheld'?

EwanHusarmi

Marcon said:

EwanHusarmi said:

No letter received. 66th birthday was 25/01/21. It’s now 10 th March ( well over 5 weeks) and still no letter or payment . I applied last October. They say it’s being dealt with and there are delays by staff ‘in the back room’. I think it’s deliberately being withheld, and am interested to know how widespread this is.

Why do you think it is being 'deliberately withheld'?

Maybe they are using the money to pay the women they owe through mispayment
or maybe they used it to furlough workers, or perhaps the funds have gone to the government cronies for PPE supply. I don’t know where the money has gone, but it hasn’t gone to where it should have. Maybe they are accruing interest. A friend told me she waited 3 months over the time due. Whichever way it is annoying enough to have my pension put back through changing the SPA and then not to receive it anyway.

xylophone

They say it’s being dealt with and there are delays by staff ‘in the back room’. 

It does seem strange that you received no response to your claim for state pension.

Did you claim on line? By phone? By paper application?

Have you any reason to suppose that there are circumstances peculiar to your  case which might lead to delay?

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

Marcon

EwanHusarmi said:

Marcon said:

EwanHusarmi said:

No letter received. 66th birthday was 25/01/21. It’s now 10 th March ( well over 5 weeks) and still no letter or payment . I applied last October. They say it’s being dealt with and there are delays by staff ‘in the back room’. I think it’s deliberately being withheld, and am interested to know how widespread this is.

Why do you think it is being 'deliberately withheld'?

Maybe they are using the money to pay the women they owe through mispayment
or maybe they used it to furlough workers, or perhaps the funds have gone to the government cronies for PPE supply. I don’t know where the money has gone, but it hasn’t gone to where it should have. Maybe they are accruing interest. A friend told me she waited 3 months over the time due. Whichever way it is annoying enough to have my pension put back through changing the SPA and then not to receive it anyway.

Sounds more like a simple error/delay. I think you're reading too much into it - although I can understand your irritation.