State Pension top-ups surge during last year as people boost retirement payments before upcoming deadline

Thousands of older people, mostly women, could be due backdated State Pension underpayments worth nearly £12,400 before the end of 2024 as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to identify and rectify historical administration errors. However, it's important to be aware most people currently receiving the State Pension - some 12.6 million - are getting the right amount of money.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s National Insurance (NI) cuts, which come into effect this weekend, offer an immediate and welcome boost to take-home pay for an estimated 27 million employees across the country. However, as the dust settles on this Autumn Statement decision, Aegon’s Pension Director Steven Cameron has flagged potential implications for individual finances and the future funding of the State Pension and current Triple Lock policy.

Elon Musk has mocked pop-punk icons Green Day for changing their lyrics to ‘American Idiot’ during their New Year’s Eve performance.To ring in 2024, the band played a set as part of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve – hosted by Ryan Seacrest.The gig then hit headlines when the band’s lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, altered the ‘American Idiot’ lyric “I’m not a part of a redneck agenda” to hit out at Donald Trump, singing: “I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda”.The song was written about the Iraq War and was originally a direct criticism of former President George Bush.Musk – the founder of Tesla motors and tech billionaire – criticised the gesture by responding to an article about the band’s lyric-swap which was posted by Not the Bee on X/Twitter.He commented on the post via his official X/Twitter account and wrote: “Green Day goes from raging against the machine to milquetoastedly raging for it,” followed by a pair of crying with laughter emojis.Green Day goes from raging against the machine to milquetoastedly raging for it

Millions of people claiming their State Pension can look forward to a bumper income boost this year when payments rise by 8.5 per cent from April 8, 2024. Under the wages growth measure of the Triple Lock policy, those on the full New Sate Pension can expect an annual increase of £902, while those on the full Basic (or Old) State Pension will see an uplift of £692).

The new year has started and for anyone planning to retire this year, whether they are reaching the official State Pension age, or leaving the workforce early, retirement expert Helen Morrissey has shared five key tips that are essential to ensure financial resilience in later life.

The Scottish Government recently announced a new devolved disability payment designed to provide additional financial support for people of State Pension age will not include a mobility component. However, it has also confirmed the new benefit will not include any face-to-face assessments as part of the application process.

An independent investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) into changes made to the State Pension age is expected to conclude early this year. The Ombudsman recently confirmed any recommendations it makes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), following the publication of its final report into ‘injustice caused by the maladministration’ of changes to the State Pension age, will be applied to “everyone who has been similarly affected” by the failings it identifies.

Green Day have taken a shot at former United States president Donald Trump during their performance at New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.During the band’s set at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve – hosted by Ryan Seacrest – the band’s lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, altered the lyric “I’m not a part of a redneck agenda” to become “I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda”.The song, originally written as a diss against George W. Bush, now incorporates a mention of Trump’s presidential rally slogan, “Make America Great Again” (MAGA).Watch a clip of the moment below."I'm not a part of the MAGA agenda…" -Green Day on New Year's #RockinEve tonight.

Demi Lovato rang in 2024 with her man by her side!

After his first full year in office, Rishi Sunak is almost guaranteed to face a general election this year.

Green Day reworked the lyrics to its hit song “American Idiot” during a performance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest Sunday night to take a swing at Donald Trump and MAGA.

There has been one person missing from the CNN New Year’s Eve 2024 celebration, according to fans, and that is Don Lemon!

Jeremy Renner made an appearance on CNN’s 2024 New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on Sunday night (December 31).

Green Day hit the stage for a performance on the 2024 Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on Sunday night (December 31)!

Brooke Hogan is a married woman now!

Thousands of older women could be due backdated State Pension underpayments worth an average of £5,931 before the end of this month. Some 12.6 million people are in receipt of the State Pension and while the majority of payments are correct, some people - mostly women - have received less than they should from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Thousands of older people, mostly women, could be due backdated State Pension underpayments worth nearly £12,400 before the end of 2024 as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to identify and rectify historical administration errors. However, it's important to be aware that most people currently receiving the State Pension - some 12.6 million - are getting the right amount of money.

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now 12.6 million people across Great Britain receiving State Pension payments, including 1.1 million living abroad and 992,052 in Scotland. Of that overall total, some 9.7 million people are receiving Basic State Pension payments of up to £156.20 each week, while 2.9 million are on - or due to claim - the New State Pension, which is worth up to £203.85 each week.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has shared the proposed, new State Pension and benefits payment rates to come into effect from April 8, 2024. State Pensions will rise by 8.5 per cent, as per the Triple Lock policy, while most benefits will increase by the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation figure of 6.7 per cent.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has started writing to thousands of older people who may have been underpaid their State Pension due to missing information on their National Insurance (NI) record. The issue affects mostly women in their 60s and 70s who may have Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) missing from their NI record.