HMRC to notify low earners owed pension top-up payments

The short version

• HM Revenue and Customs is sending letters to approximately one million low earners, primarily women, who missed out on pension tax relief.[BBC News]
• Recipients, typically earning up to £12,570 under Net Pay Arrangement schemes, are due payments averaging £70 starting with the 2024-25 tax year.[BBC News]
• HMRC confirmed it will only notify people by letter and will not send texts, make phone calls, or request sensitive financial details.[BBC News]
• A former pensions minister warned that many eligible individuals may fail to claim their payments.[BBC News]

Key facts

• About one million low earners, mostly women, are eligible to receive top-up pension payments due to how their workplace schemes were administered.[BBC News]
• The issue impacted individuals earning close to or under £12,570 whose employers operated Net Pay Arrangement schemes rather than Relief at Source schemes.[BBC News]
• HMRC will contact eligible people by post over several months, with payments typically around £70 initially covering the 2024-25 tax year.[BBC News]
• HMRC stated it will never telephone, text, or email recipients regarding the payment, nor ask for passwords or PINs.[BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• The £70 refund letter that isn't a scamBBC News - Business