Older people due to retire this year need to claim New State Pension or payments will not start

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that the State Pension currently provides regular financial support for nearly 12.7 million older people across Great Britain, including over one million retirees living in Scotland.

This payment is administered by the UK Government and is available for those who have reached the eligible retirement age - currently 66 for both men and women - who have accrued at least 10 years' worth of National Insurance Contributions.However, many people approaching the official retirement age this year may not be aware that this contributory benefit is not paid automatically by the DWP and needs to be claimed - or they could miss out on payments of up to £203.85 each week.The money is not paid automatically when someone reaches State Pension age as some people choose to defer in order to keep working and generate more income for their pension pot, especially if they have not paid the full quota of 35 years' worth of National Insurance Contributions, or were 'contracted out'.DWP guidance on GOV.UK explains: “You do not get your State Pension automatically - you have to claim it.

You should get a letter no later than two months before you reach State Pension age, telling you what to do.”It then clarifies that you can either claim your State Pension or delay (defer) claiming it.

It states: “If you want to defer, you do not have to do anything. Your pension will automatically be deferred until you claim it.”Which means, unless you respond to the letter confirming that you want to start claiming State Pension, you will not receive any payments as the DWP will interpret no response as a wish to defer.If you have not received an invitation letter to claim, but you are