State Pension age was previously set at 60 for women and 65 for men, however, this was considered to be unfair and the process of age equalisation commenced. Under the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011, many women saw their state pension rise to the higher age of 65. By 2018, both men and women’s state pension age was set at 65, with further increases planned. 

But the Ombudsman cannot share its findings until the investigation is complete.

This is because, by law, it investigates the matter in private, delving deeper into the concerns first brought to it.

Most importantly, the Ombudsman is to look at six sample cases which it states reflects the range of issues in the complaints sent to it.

The Ombudsman will not be able to recommend reimbursing “lost pensions”, neither will it be able to state whether anyone should receive their pension. 

The Ombudsman explains: “At the second stage, we would also consider the complaints about DWP not adequately communicating the required number of years of national insurance contributions to receive a full state pension, as well as DWP’s and ICE’s complaint handling. 

“If we find there was an injustice that has not already been remedied then we will proceed to the third stage and make recommendations to put things right.”

While the Backto60 group have campaigned for the state pension age to revert to 60, the Ombudsman cannot make this recommendation.

This is also the case for the idea of a reinstatement of the state pension or compensation for the amount a person would have received. 

However, as the Ombudsman highlights, is recommendations may include compensation being paid - on a scale. 

It is not yet clear when a decision on maladministration will be made, and the Ombudsman has said it will throughly consider the evidence to make a “robust and impartial decision”.