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Monday 11 January 2016 12:01 am

UK Pensions: MPs warn Department for Work and Pensions that people are confused by new state pension and communications need to be improved urgently

By: Hayley Kirton

MPs have called on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to urgently change the information sent to people reaching retirement age after it was discovered that confusion was rife over the new state pension.

An interim report published today by the Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee highlights some of the responses received from an ongoing inquiry into understanding the new state pension, which will apply to those reaching state pension age from 6 April 2016 onwards, and raises concerns that people do not fully understand what they will receive and when.

“Successive governments have bungled the fundamental duty to tell women of these major changes to when they can expect their state pension,” said Frank Field MP, chair of the Committee.

Commenting on the report, a DWP spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring that the public understands the positive changes being made to the state pension. We’ve already done a huge amount – including TV, radio and print advertising – and this activity will continue over the coming months and years.”