I can't answer any of the questions asked but have one of my own related to this OAP pension issue - maybe this thread could be stickied for all similar questions?
My question is as follows, relatives of mine (a married couple who are jointly assessed) received letters, the man has a public sector pension, the woman has a private pension and half a contributory old pension
I found their tax credit certificates for 2009. For the woman, there is a section which states
Standard Rate Band Reduced By
DSFA Pension 5502
Tax Credits Reduced by
DFSA Pension 1100
But in the section
Allocation of tax credits and standard rate band
The DFSA pension is not mentioned, only the private pension and the spouse's public sector pension are in there
Does it sound like there is a tax compliance issue here?
Now in the 2012 tax credit cert that was received with yesterday's letter the "Standard rate reduced by" DFSA figure is ~12,000. Have Revenue made a mistake and think that she is in receipt of a full old age pension rather than a half one?