§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on encouraging people already receiving benefit to apply for their retirement pension. [166477]
§ Malcolm WicksWe write to people already receiving benefit around four months before they reach State Pension age to invite them to claim State Pension. However, the responsibility for claiming State Pension lies with the person concerned.
The benefit already in payment may be affected when the person reaches State Pension age. It may be replaced by State Pension once claimed, or be adjusted to take account of the State Pension.
If the claim for State Pension is not made in time then a claim can be made subsequently and entitlement backdated for up to three months.