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HMRC Declares Living Resident Deceased, Pension Top-Up Stalled

1/6/2026

31 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A County Clare resident cannot have their pension top-up processed after HMRC assigns a national insurance number matching a deceased person and declares the resident deceased.
Since 2015, the resident has spent hours on hold and visited HMRC offices with little resolution.
HMRC offered £250 in compensation.
The unresolved underlying problem raises concerns about entitlements from multiple national insurance numbers.

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Story summary

A County Clare resident cannot have their pension top-up processed after HMRC assigns a national insurance number matching a deceased person and declares the resident deceased.
Since 2015, the resident has spent hours on hold and visited HMRC offices with little resolution.
HMRC offered £250 in compensation.
The unresolved underlying problem raises concerns about entitlements from multiple national insurance numbers.