The figures come from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) by The Sun.The figures come from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) by The Sun.The figures come from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) by The Sun.

State pensioners are boosting their state pension by £9,658 through a FREE trick. The figures come from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) by The Sun.

Retirees are moving to boost their state pensions by delaying (deferring). Those who reached state pension age before April 6, 2016, can take their extra state pension as higher payments or as a lump sum.

Those getting to state pension age after April 6, 2016, can take their extra state pension through higher weekly payments only. All those who reached state pension age before April 6, 2016, deferred for at least 12 months and decided to take the top up as a lump sum received £9,657.65 on average as of November last year.

READ MORE 21 counties in England set to miss out on next UK heatwave as 32C returns

Royal London’s Caroline Kellas, Technical Support Manager, said: “In April 2016, two major changes were made. The first was to abolish the option of taking deferred pension as a lump sum.

“It was felt this over-complicated the system (as the relative advantage of taking a lump sum over taking an enhanced pension could fluctuate over time depending on interest rates) and individuals who wanted a lump sum could simply take their pension and save it up for themselves if they could do without it for a period.

“The second change was the increase for deferring was reduced. Rather than a 10.4% enhancement for each year of deferral, it is now the equivalent of 1% for every 9 weeks it is deferred.

“This works out as just under 5.8% for every 52 weeks. However, because state pensions count as taxable income, it is important for those who are still in work past state pension age to consider carefully whether taking a state pension as soon as it is possible to do so is the best idea.

“To illustrate this point, let’s consider two scenarios.” Justin Corliss, pensions expert at Royal London, said: “One thing many people aren’t aware of is that you need to claim state pension in the first place.

“The DWP should get in touch with you no later than two months before you reach state pension age and will explain how to claim your pension.

“If you don’t respond to the letter, then you won’t get it.”