Tens of thousands of retired NHS, armed services and other public sector staff will learn later how their pensions came to be overpaid for decades.
Tens of thousands of retired NHS, armed services and other public sector staff will learn later how their pensions came to be overpaid for decades.
The Cabinet Office is due to release a statement expected to explain how overpayments worth "tens of millions" were made to public sector pensioners.
The Cabinet Office is due to release a statement expected to explain how overpayments worth "tens of millions" were made to public sector pensioners.
Letters are also being sent out to them spelling out how they will be affected.
Letters are also being sent out to them spelling out how they will be affected.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has said the money need not be repaid but pensions would be adjusted next April.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has said the money need not be repaid but pensions would be adjusted next April.
It is understood about 5% of retired public sector workers, from all over the UK, are involved, estimated at tens of thousands of people.
It is understood about 5% of retired public sector workers, from all over the UK, are involved, estimated at tens of thousands of people.
The issue was raised in the Commons on Monday by Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable who was informed about the problem 10 days ago by a BBC journalist.
The issue was raised in the Commons on Monday by Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable who was informed about the problem 10 days ago by a BBC journalist.
Mr Cable told MPs he had held off saying anything until Monday at the request of Sir Gus O'Donnell, the head of the civil service, who had asked for time to alert pensioners involved. I hope none of us can face the possibility of large numbers of ex-servicemen suddenly being faced with bailiffs turning up Vince Cable, Lib Dem Treasury spokesman
Mr Cable told MPs he had held off saying anything until Monday at the request of Sir Gus O'Donnell, the head of the civil service, who had asked for time to alert pensioners involved. I hope none of us can face the possibility of large numbers of ex-servicemen suddenly being faced with bailiffs turning up Vince Cable, Lib Dem Treasury spokesman
During a Queen's Speech debate, Mr Cable said the journalist had understood that a company, Xafinity Paymaster - a former public body which pays out public sector pensions - had been "paying out excessive public pensions to hundreds of thousands of public sector pensioners".
During a Queen's Speech debate, Mr Cable said the journalist had understood that a company, Xafinity Paymaster - a former public body which pays out public sector pensions - had been "paying out excessive public pensions to hundreds of thousands of public sector pensioners".
The journalist said that the "error had just been discovered and the company were about to start retrieving the money from the pensioners".
The journalist said that the "error had just been discovered and the company were about to start retrieving the money from the pensioners".
'Extremely serious'
'Extremely serious'
Mr Cable said he understood "some cases go back decades and are potentially enormous".
Mr Cable said he understood "some cases go back decades and are potentially enormous".
He added: "I hope none of us can face the possibility of large numbers of ex-servicemen suddenly being faced with bailiffs turning up and asking them to repay overpayments, as we've already discovered in the appalling incidences regarding tax credits."
He added: "I hope none of us can face the possibility of large numbers of ex-servicemen suddenly being faced with bailiffs turning up and asking them to repay overpayments, as we've already discovered in the appalling incidences regarding tax credits."
One BBC website user claims he received a letter on 5 December demanding repayment within nine days of nearly £16,000 for overpayments on his armed forces pension over the past 12 years.
One BBC website user claims he received a letter on 5 December demanding repayment within nine days of nearly £16,000 for overpayments on his armed forces pension over the past 12 years.
Others users have contacted the BBC voicing concerns that already meagre pensions would now be reduced further.
Others users have contacted the BBC voicing concerns that already meagre pensions would now be reduced further.
On Monday, Mr Darling said the money would not have to be repaid, but he added: "It will be necessary to adjust what's paid for the future. It does need to be put right from next year."
On Monday, Mr Darling said the money would not have to be repaid, but he added: "It will be necessary to adjust what's paid for the future. It does need to be put right from next year."
Scottish National Party work and pensions spokesman John Mason said it looked like "an extremely serious issue" and described Mr Darling's comments as "very worrying".
Scottish National Party work and pensions spokesman John Mason said it looked like "an extremely serious issue" and described Mr Darling's comments as "very worrying".
He said: "Pensioners must not lose out. We need to know exactly what has happened and exactly what the UK government plan to do."
He said: "Pensioners must not lose out. We need to know exactly what has happened and exactly what the UK government plan to do."
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