Pensions - Articles - Just Retirement comment on DWP quarterly statistical summary

 “The decrease in claimants is unsurprising however, the evidence shows that many people who are entitled to claim state help are failing to do so. Even those who are claiming might not be receiving the full amount they are entitled to. We know from our own research that homeowner pensioners, for instance, are less likely than average to do so. This is particularly true for Savings Pension Credit where only 42 per cent claim their entitlement and the average amount unclaimed is £470 each year and also Council Tax Benefit where only 34 per cent of those eligible to claim do so and the average amount unclaimed is £662 a year. We need to find ways to make it easier for people to check whether they are claiming the full amount of State benefit available.

 “The responsibility is falling more and more on individuals to pay their way in later life which means making decisions on using pension and other savings is increasingly important. People considering using the freedom to take pension money before they retire and to use it for purposes other than generating a regular income need to think very carefully about sabotaging their own chance of a comfortable life not next week or next year, but a decade or two into the future."