THE Benefits Agency is urging pensioners to check the amount they receive, due to problems with its computer system.

According to the Bury Society of Chartered Accountants, up to a third of all new pensions paid since last July were wrongly estimated, with a knock-on effect on tax codes.

Co-ordinator Ian Richardson said retired people should contact the Benefits Agency if they were in any doubt about the amount they were being paid.

"Anyone who is slightly out of the ordinary could be affected," he explained. "Particularly women who have divorced, people who have contracted out of the state earnings-related scheme or who have worked abroad."

Incorrect pension calculations may result in the wrong tax code being issued. The computer problem is not expected to be resolved before April.

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