DWP benefits statistics, Get Your State Pension update: November 2023
Published 14 November 2023
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dwp-benefits-statistics-november-2023/dwp-benefits-statistics-get-your-state-pension-update-november-2023
This is to notify users about restoration of State Pension caseload statistics to Stat-Xplore.
Background
During 2019, a new DWP computer system called “Get Your State Pension” (GYSP) came online to handle State Pension claims. In August 2021, we temporarily stopped updating the State Pension datasets available via Stat-Xplore because the new system was handling a sizeable proportion of claims which we were unable to include in our published State Pension statistics. Since this time – as a temporary measure – static data tables showing State Pension headline data, including estimates of GYSP recipients, have instead been provided on a quarterly basis.
After developing new statistical datasets and completing rigorous quality assurance on the new data, State Pension statistics were restored to Stat-Xplore on 14 November 2023 as part of the published quarterly DWP Benefits Statistics release. Restored data covers the period from November 2020 to February 2023, and will continue to be updated on a quarterly basis as part of our routine statistical releases on Stat-Xplore. Data held on Stat-Xplore for State Pension caseload statistics prior to November 2020 remains the same.
Differences between the previously published State Pension caseload (using estimates for GYSP) and the actual State Pension caseload (using new data from GYSP), November 2020 to February 2023
| Date | State Pension Caseload (using GYSP estimates) | State Pension Caseload (using GYSP data) | Difference | Percentage Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2020 | 12,381,383 | 12,381,368 | -15 | 0.00% |
| February 2021 | 12,354,567 | 12,354,539 | -28 | 0.00% |
| May 2021 | 12,408,799 | 12,408,748 | -51 | 0.00% |
| August 2021 | 12,452,144 | 12,451,953 | -191 | 0.00% |
| November 2021 | 12,473,520 | 12,473,388 | -132 | 0.00% |
| February 2022 | 12,495,660 | 12,495,594 | -66 | 0.00% |
| May 2022 | 12,543,213 | 12,542,927 | -286 | 0.00% |
| August 2022 | 12,579,441 | 12,578,519 | -922 | -0.01% |
| November 2022 | 12,632,452 | 12,631,262 | -1,190 | -0.01% |
| February 2023 | 12,635,209 | 12,633,727 | -1,482 | -0.01% |
Sources: Stat Xplore, DWP Benefit Statistics
During the period that State Pension statistics were released as estimates via temporary datasets, we used data from our payment system to create an approximation of the new system caseload. By estimating the number of claims being handled by the new GYSP system between November 2020 and February 2023, we were able to present a very reliable estimate of the total State Pension caseload during this time. Estimates slightly overcounted the true GYSP caseload, but by less than 0.2% each quarter.
The temporary State Pension headline data tables released between August 2021 and August 2023 have been withdrawn, and users should instead now access State Pension caseload statistics via Stat-Xplore. In addition to restoration of data, some fields for State Pension caseload statistics have been updated in the “Data from May 2018” Stat-Xplore dataset. Updates include improvements to worldwide geography breakdowns, indicators for those receiving Extra State Pension, and proportions of beneficiaries receiving a full amount of State Pension. Users can also view the average (mean) weekly Extra State Pension amount (in pounds) that is paid to State Pension claimants.
A biannual release of supplementary tables derived from a legacy computer system was also suspended, with these tables being last published in May 2021 covering data to September 2020. Tables 4 and 5 from this release (proportions of beneficiaries receiving a full amount) are now available via Stat-Xplore data. Tables 1, 2 and 3 (deferment increments for claimants of pre-2016 State Pension) will remain suspended until further developments of the GYSP datasets enable these additional variables to be analysed. Deferment increments data for claimants of new State Pension is also now available via Stat-Xplore data.
Where to find out more
For more information, see our background information note.
To build your own tables with State Pension statistics that include the full GYSP data, use Stat-Xplore.
ISBN: 978-1-78659-610-9