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Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Older women urged to check for State Pension back payments worth over £8,300
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said that between January 8, 2024 and March 31, 2025, a joint State Pensions corrections exercise with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), identified 12,379 State Pension underpayments to women whose National Insurance (NI) records are incorrect. In 2022, the DWP became aware of a number of State Pension cases where it appeared that historic periods of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) were missing, leading to inaccurate State Pension payments. So far, around £104 million in arrears have been paid out, with an average payment of £8,377. Retirement expert Helen Morrissey is urging older people to complete the online form or contact the Pension Service if they think they have been affected after new research from the DWP showed the main reasons why those who have received a letter from HMRC asking them to check their State Pension - as it could be wrong - have failed to do so. HMRC has sent out more than 370,000 letters - mostly to women - urging them to check their State Pension payments as they may be lower than they are entitled to. However, the DWP research indicates that the majority of people contacted by letter did not go on to apply for HRP. Barriers included: Not understanding the letter Thinking the communication was a scam Reliance on digital methods to put in a claim HRP was a scheme designed to help protect parents' and carers' entitlement to the State Pension and was replaced by NI credits from April 6, 2010. HMRC is using NI records to identify as many people as possible who might have been entitled to HRP between 1978 and 2010 and have no HRP on their NI record. After May 2000, it became mandatory to include a NI number on claims so people claiming after this point will not have been affected. The head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'This research lays bare the complexities the government faces in resolving the long running issue of underpaid State Pensions. The State Pension system has become so confusing that even when the UK Government has communicated with those who may have a claim, the complexity and jargon has put many of them off. This means many thousands are getting less than they are entitled to. 'Issues identified by the government include the use of jargon. Many simply didn't understand what was being asked of them -that mistakes made decades ago had been identified and could be rectified. 'Terms such as Home Responsibilities Protection haven't been used for many years - it's understandable that people may have little recollection as to whether they claimed it or not. 'The reliance on online forms to claim refunds was also a significant barrier, with many not feeling internet savvy enough to navigate the system without help.' Ms Morrissey continued: 'Notably many people decided not to take action because they feared doing so might actually reduce their state pension or they were scared that they had been targeted by scammers. It's clear the government faces an uphill battle if it is to successfully reunite those affected with their extra pension payments. 'The introduction of the New State Pension system in 2016 was meant to simplify things - and it should, but again challenges remain for these younger groups. Those who opted out of Child Benefit because of the High-Income Child Benefit Charge will not have known that by doing so they risk missing out on National Insurance credits towards their State Pension.' The UK Government has put measures in place to deal with this, but Ms Morrissey warns it remains something that can 'trip people up and so awareness needs to be raised on an ongoing basis'. The retirement expert added: 'Encouraging people to check their State Pension record to see if there are any gaps is vital - if there are mistakes, then they have time to correct them. 'If the gap has occurred during a period of time when they qualified for a benefit, such as Child Benefit, then they can backdate a claim and get the gaps filled for free. There's also the option of paying for voluntary contributions to make sure you get the most from your state pension.' How to use the online HRP tool You may still be able to apply for HRP, for full tax years (6 April to 5 April) between 1978 and 2010, if any of the following were true: you were claiming Child Benefit for a child under 16 you were caring for a child with your partner who claimed Child Benefit instead of you you were getting Income Support because you were caring for someone who was sick or disabled you were caring for a sick or disabled person who was claiming certain benefits You can also apply if, for a full tax year between 2003 and 2010, you were either: Who qualified automatically for HRP The guidance on explains that most people got HRP automatically if they were: getting Child Benefit in their name for a child under the age of 16 and they had given the Child Benefit Office their National Insurance number getting Income Support and they did not need to register for work because they were caring for someone who was sick or disabled If your partner claimed Child Benefit instead of you If you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2008, you cannot transfer HRP. However, you may be able to transfer HRP from a partner you lived with if they claimed Child Benefit while you both cared for a child under 16 and they do not need the HRP. They can transfer the HRP to you for any 'qualifying years' they have on their National Insurance record between April 1978 and April 2010. This will be converted into National Insurance credits. Married women or widows You cannot get HRP for any complete tax year if you were a married woman or a widow and: you had chosen to pay reduced rate Class 1 National Insurance contributions as an employee (commonly known as the small stamp) you had chosen not to pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions when self-employed If you were caring for a sick or disabled person You can only claim HRP for the years you spent caring for someone with a long-term illness or disability between April 6, 1978 and April 5, 2002. You must have spent at least 35 hours a week caring for them and they must have been getting one of the following benefits: Attendance Allowance Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate for personal care Constant Attendance Allowance The benefit must have been paid for 48 weeks of each tax year on or after April 6, 1988 or every week of each tax year before April 6, 1988. You can still apply if you are over State Pension age. You will not usually be paid any increase in State Pension that may have been due for previous years. If you were getting Carer's Allowance You do not need to apply for HRP if you were getting Carer's Allowance. You'll automatically get National Insurance credits and would not usually have needed HRP. If you were a foster carer or caring for a friend or family member's child You have to apply for HRP if, for a full tax year between 2003 and 2010, you were either: a foster carer caring for a friend or family member's child ('kinship carer') in Scotland All of the following must also be true: you were not getting Child Benefit you were not in paid work you did not earn enough in a tax year for it to count towards the State Pension If you reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010 Any HRP you had for full tax years before April 6, 2010 was automatically converted into National Insurance credits, if you needed them, up to a maximum of 22 qualifying years. A full overview of HRP can be found on here.
Irish Times
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Eye on Nature: ‘This huge wasp landed on my son'
While on holiday in Croatia in early July this landed on my small son as we walked along the street. It flew off again almost immediately, but he was a bit freaked out. It was huge – almost two inches long. What was it? A Morrissey, Dublin That was scary, right enough. It is the mammoth wasp – Megascolia maculata – Europe's biggest wasp. The female is larger than the male with a body length up to 50mm, males are only 20mm in size. This is a solitary species of wasp. The female lays an egg in the larva of the Rhinoceros beetle and parasitizes it. It then hatches out and feeds on the larva. It develops over the winter in the surrounding soil and emerges the following summer. It visits flowers for nectar as an adult before mating and laying eggs again. Neither the wasp nor the Rhinoceros beetle occur in Ireland. Small Magpie moth seen in Dublin and Co Clare This small moth was seen by Roisin Sheerin on the ceiling of her home in Harold's Cross in Dublin and by Enda Scanlon on a compactor at work in Ennis Co Clare. Both were curious to know what it was. It is a Small Magpie moth. Moths are divided into two groups – macro-moths, the large ones and micro-moths which have a forewing length of 10mm or less. Many moth books only cover the macro-moths so finding out about micros can be more difficult. The Small Magpie is a micro-moth – a common enough species, whose larvae feed on mint and thyme. It is a day-flying species, visiting flowers for nectar and in the hope of meeting members of the opposite sex – considering them as a singles bar, as it were. READ MORE Great Grey Slug. Photograph: Michael Hill We awoke recently to find this slug at the edge of the bed, some 20 feet from an open window. It had left a gluttonous trail across the carpet. We have a large Hosta on the patio but surely 'indoors' would not normally be attractive? I read that broken eggshells or beer in a saucer are an effective deterrent. (More worryingly, my wife said that if it features in our bed, she'll be gone!) Any advice would be welcome. Michael Hill I can offer advice about the slug (you will have to try a different column for matrimonial guidance). This is the voracious Great Grey slug – Limax maximus, sometimes called the Leopard slug. Hosta plants are seemingly a magnet for slugs of various species – why people who don't like slugs grow them is a mystery to me. But slugs don't eat carpets, so it hardly was a gluttonous trail. It may boil down to a choice between the missus and the Hosta, as broken eggshells and saucers of beer – while they deter slugs – are not nice in the bedroom. Cuttlefish on Mweenish Island. Photograph: Philip Berman On Trá Mhór on Mweenish Island, near Carna, we saw dozens of these cuttlefish bones washed up in the sand. In 20 years walking this beach I've never seen so many. What might the explanation be? Philip Berman Cuttlefish are molluscs and these bones are their internal skeleton. They have many tiny holes, which fill with gas and help them to float. They live for two years and die after spawning. It must have been a good breeding year for them this year. Greylag gosling in Ballynahinch. Photograph: Karin Joyce I saw this bird on the greenway near Ballynahinch in Galway. What goose or duck will it be when grown up? Karin Joyce, Co Galway This is a young Greylag Goose. True wild Greylag Geese are migratory and breed in Iceland, visiting us in winter, but escaped domestic Greylag Geese breed here and produce lovely little goslings like this. Please submit your nature query, observation, or photo, with a location, via or by email to weekend@
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Retirement expert warns number of pensioners paying tax set to soar due to rising incomes
HMRC estimates nearly 9 million pensioners will pay tax for the current financial year. Income tax rises for Scots in April - how the changes affect you The latest HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data indicates that 8.7m pensioners are projected to pay income tax on their retirement income in 2025/26. It marks an increase of around 420,000 compared to the previous year (2024/25) and a rise of 1.85m from 10 years ago (2015/16). However, Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, warns more pensioners will be 'dragged into taxpaying territory' over the coming years due to frozen income thresholds. The Personal Allowance threshold will be frozen at £12,570 until April 2028, but the New State Pension is on track to exceed that income limit by April 2027. The full, New State Pension is worth £11,973 during the current financial year. Ms Morrissey explained: 'The pension tax paying population is surging. On the one hand, this can be celebrated as a sign of rising incomes among this population, but it's also fair to say that frozen tax thresholds have also played a huge part in dragging more pensioners into taxpaying territory. With the freeze set to stay in place until 2028, we expect to see these numbers continue to swell. 'There are things that can be done to help manage these tax liabilities. For a start, up to 25 per cent of your pension can be taken tax free and this can be used alongside taxable income to keep you below an income tax threshold. Retirement income is also more than just about pensions, with ISAs also able to play a key role.' It's important to be aware that the income from ISAs is tax free which means it can be used alongside your pension income to keep the tax bill down. Ms Morrissey also highlighted how pensions can also play an important role in helping working-age people manage their taxes. She explained: 'Paying into a pension reduces your adjusted income and this can reduce the amount of tax you have to pay or even stop you from breaching a threshold that moves you into paying tax at a higher rate. 'This can be especially helpful to those who earn between £100,000 and £125,140 per year who get hit by the stealthy 60 per cent tax trap that erodes your personal allowance.' Under the Triple Lock policy, the New and Basic State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest between the average annual earnings growth from May to July, CPI in the year to September, or 2.5 per cent. It is aimed at preventing the value of the State Pensions being whittled away by cost of living pressures. The New and Basic State Pensions increased by 4.1 per cent in April, however, future forecasts from the Labour Government expect it to rise by 2.5 per cent over the next four financial years. Using these calculations, it puts the full New State Pension on track to be worth £12,578.80 in the 2027/28 financial year - £78.80 over the Personal Allowance. While the amount of State Pension to be taxed may seem relatively small - tax is only paid on the amount over the Personal Allowance - older people with other income streams could find themselves having to part with more cash to pay a tax bill - if it's not automatically deducted from private or workplace pensions through PAYE. Online guidance at on who might need to pay tax on their pension also includes a handy tool to calculate how much tax someone might need to pay, and the different ways this can be done. The latest State Pension Triple Lock predictions show the following projected annual increases: 2025/26 - 4.1%, the forecast was 4% 2026/27 - 2.5% 2027/28 - 2.5% 2028/29 - 2.5% 2029/30 - 2.5% State Pension payments 2025/26 Full New State Pension Weekly payment: £230.25 Four-weekly payment: £921 Annual amount: £11,973 Full Basic State Pension Weekly payment: £176.45 Four-weekly payment: £705.80 Annual amount: £9,175 Future new State Pension forecasts Under a 2.5 per cent increase, the full New State Pension will be worth: 2026/27 - £236 per week, £12,227.30 a year 2027/28 - £241.90 per week, £12,578.80 a year What is taxed Guidance on states: 'You pay tax if your total annual income adds up to more than your Personal Allowance. Find out about your Personal Allowance and Income Tax rates. Your total income could include: the State Pension you get - Basic or New State Pension Additional State Pension a private pension (workplace or personal) - you can take some of this tax-free earnings from employment or self-employment any taxable benefits you get any other income, such as money from investments, property or savings Check if you have to pay tax on your pension Before you can check, you will need to know: if you have a State Pension or a private pension how much State Pension and private pension income you will get this tax year (April 6 to April 5) the amount of any other taxable income you'll get this tax year (for example, from employment or state benefits) You cannot use this tool if you get: any foreign income Marriage Allowance Blind Person's Allowance Use this online tool at to check if you have to pay tax on your pension. The full guide to tax when you get a pension can be found on here.
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Pensions expert shares five steps to avoid retirement regret in later life
The New State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 next year, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women across the UK by 2028. The Pensions Act 2014 set out the timescale for the increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67 years old and will first affect those born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961. Anyone born between these dates can use a handy tool on to find out the earliest point at which they'll be eligible for their State Pension. A further State Pension age increase from 67 to 68 is set to be implemented between 2044 and 2046. People born on April 6, 1960 will reach State Pension age of 66 on May 6, 2026 while those born on March 5, 1961 will reach State Pension age of 67 on February 5, 2028. Everyone affected by changes to their State Pension age will receive a letter from the DWP well in advance, however, you can check your own State Pension age online here. It's important to be aware of these upcoming changes now, especially if you have a retirement plan in place. New research from Opinium on behalf of Hargreaves Lansdown found that one in five people aged over 55 said they regretted not starting their retirement planning early enough. A further 15 per cent said they wished they had contributed more while 15 per cent said they regretted assuming they would have enough saved for later life. Some 4 per cent said they wished they had made more of their employer contribution. However, well over half (57%) of over 55s said they had no retirement planning regrets. Commenting on the findings, Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis, Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'It can be easy to succumb to 'set and forget' when it comes to your pension, but this leaves you open to retirement regret later on. Getting to grips with your pension earlier in your career can save you a lot of bother. 'This was the main source of retirement regret, with one in five people aged over 55 saying they wished they got started on their pension planning earlier. Not contributing enough was a bugbear for around 15 per cent, while the same proportion said they had made an error in assuming they would have enough by the time they retired. 'The bright spot of the research was that well over half (57%) of those asked said they didn't have any retirement regrets. This could be because they have a good defined benefit pension, or it could be because they've checked in on how their pensions are doing periodically and made adjustments, as necessary.' Five steps to avoid retirement regret To help people make the most of their time now to ensure a smooth retirement, Ms Morrissey shared five simple steps to follow. Keep an eye on how your pension is doing Don't 'set and forget' your pension contributions. It's important to check in on your pensions from time to time. Use a pension calculator to see what you are on track to receive – if it's enough then great, but if not, you've got time to do something about it. Boost your contributions Auto-enrolment sets minimum contributions but these on their own may not be enough to give you the retirement you need. Taking small steps such as boosting your contributions every time you get a pay rise or new job can be a relatively painless way of increasing contributions before you get used to spending the money. Can your employer do more? Many employers will keep their contributions at auto-enrolment minimums but there are employers who are willing to do more if you increase your contributions. This is known as an employer match and can really ratchet up the amount of money going in over time. Find those lost pensions If you've had several jobs, then the likelihood is you have lost track of a pension somewhere along the way. This means there could be a pot worth thousands of pounds out there that could make a huge difference to your retirement planning. If you think you've lost track of a pension, then give the government's pension tracing service a call. All you need is the company name or that of the provider. The service can't tell you if you have a pension with them, but they can give you contact details. Find out more here. Consolidation might work Once you've tracked down your pensions, it might make sense to consolidate. Having an overarching view of what you have can be a gamechanger for your planning. You may realise you have more than you thought, and this can transform your retirement planning. For instance, you may be tempted to take small pensions as cash and spend them but by consolidating them you are less likely to do this. However, make sure you aren't incurring any unnecessary costs in consolidating such as early exit penalties. It's also worth checking that you aren't missing out on valuable benefits such as guaranteed annuity rates. It also rarely makes sense to transfer out of a defined benefit pension due to the guaranteed income on offer.
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Louth Gardai pay tribute to their late colleague Sergeant Paddy Morrissey
The popular officer who lived in Drogheda was stationed in Collon at the time. A new bench in honour of his memory was unveiled recently after a remembrance ceremony. Sergeant Morrissey was shot dead following a robbery at the Labour Exchange in Ardee, Co Louth, June 27, 1985. He bravely pursued the armed robbers, Martin McHugh and Noel Callan, both members of the renegade INLA, Irish National Liberation Army, and was killed as he chased them in a field. The two Armagh men were found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of his capital murder and sentenced to death. This was later commuted by the Government to 40 years penal servitude. Both killers were released from prison within days of each other after serving 30 years in 2015. They got their sentence reduced by 25pc - 10 years - for good behaviour. In a post on Facebook Louth Gardai said: "Today we remember Sergeant Morrissey and the ultimate sacrifice he and his family made while he served and protected the community of Co Louth. "Sergeant Morrissey was posthumously awarded the Gold Scott Medal for bravery in 1986. Rest in peace." The hero Garda was 49 years old at the time and unarmed when he confronted the brutal cowardly gunmen. He left behind his beloved wife Bernie and four children, Martin, Brian, Mary and Aideen. who were then aged between 12 to 19 years old. In a statement to mark the 40 anniversary of his death the Morrissey family said: "We knew him as a giant of kindness and strength, and someone who believed strongly in fairness and in giving people chances to rectify lives - he believed strongly in the power of humanity and common decency. "His former colleagues in the Garda Sub Aqua Unit, in Collon Garda Station and the other stations where he was posted, and in the Garda Choir have posted many heartfelt tributes throughout the years since 1985 - they most certainly have never forgotten him nor us as a family. "Tomorrow marks the 40 year anniversary in remembering PJ who was ultimately a guardian of the peace, a guardian of the community, a family man, and a good friend to so many. "He was perhaps most at home in his garden, or on the River Erne or River Boyne, diving, fishing or swimming in the water.. "In the past 40 years that have passed he has been remembered with profound loss by our family, and with high regard and warmth by friends and former colleagues. "Our family wishes to thank all who have shown so much support and kindness in the last 40 years." Paddy Morrissey was originally from Belturbet, Co Cavan.
