Additional State Pension Explained: Who Qualifies and How Much You Can Get?

Understanding your entitlement to the State Pension can be complex, especially when additional schemes are involved. One such scheme is the Additional State Pension, a system that once allowed individuals to boost their retirement income beyond the basic

State Pension. While it no longer accepts new contributions, it continues to affect millions of pensioners today.

This guide explains who qualifies for the Additional State Pension, how it’s calculated, and how much you might receive, including the rules around inheritance and contracting out.

What Is the Additional State Pension, and How Does It Differ from the Basic State Pension?

The Additional State Pension is an earnings-related pension that was paid on top of the basic State Pension. Introduced in 1978 as the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS), it later evolved into the State Second Pension (S2P) in 2002.

Both schemes aimed to supplement the flat-rate basic State Pension based on your earnings and National Insurance (NI) contributions.

From 6 April 2016, a new State Pension system replaced both the basic and additional pensions for anyone reaching State Pension age on or after that date. Under this system, pensioners receive a single payment, and no further entitlement to the Additional State Pension is accrued.

The key difference between the two systems is complexity and contribution basis. The old system (with Additional State Pension) was more tailored to individual contribution and earnings history, while the new State Pension is based solely on the number of qualifying years.

Who Is Entitled to Receive the Additional State Pension in the UK?

Eligibility for the Additional State Pension largely depends on when you reached State Pension age and your contribution history.

If you are:

• A man born before 6 April 1951, or
• A woman born before 6 April 1953,

then you may be entitled to receive the Additional State Pension. This entitlement applies only if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. Those who reached pension age after that date receive the new State Pension only.

It’s also important to note that if you were contracted out during your working years, your entitlement could be reduced or removed entirely for those periods.

In most cases, eligible individuals do not need to apply separately for the Additional State Pension. It is calculated and paid automatically alongside the basic State Pension.

How Is the Additional State Pension Calculated?

There is no standard amount for the Additional State Pension because it is earnings-related and depends on various factors.

What Factors Influence the Calculation?

The amount you receive is based on:

• How many qualifying years of National Insurance contributions you have.
• The level of your earnings during those years.
• Whether or not you were contracted out through a workplace pension.
• Whether you made any State Pension top-ups between 2015 and 2017.

The longer you worked and paid higher-rate NI contributions, the more likely you are to receive a higher amount. However, if you were contracted out, your additional pension may be significantly reduced.

What Are the Differences Between Pre-1997 And Post-1997 Contributions?

Time Period	Scheme	Contribution Criteria
1978–2002	SERPS	Based on earnings over the Lower Earnings Limit
2002–2016	State Second Pension (S2P)	Broader eligibility including carers and those on certain benefits

• Pre-1997 (SERPS) focused solely on employment earnings and provided a proportion of earnings above the lower threshold.
• Post-1997 (S2P) introduced more inclusive eligibility, allowing carers and those on low income to accrue entitlement through credits.

What Is Meant by the Pre-1997 Additional State Pension?

Pre-1997 Additional State Pension refers to the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS). Under SERPS, the pension was calculated as a percentage of your earnings between a lower and upper earnings limit, based on the number of years you contributed.

The scheme was designed to provide a more generous pension for those who consistently earned above the lower earnings limit.

However, it lacked inclusivity for those with caregiving responsibilities or low-paid jobs, which was later addressed with the introduction of S2P in 2002.

Although no new SERPS entitlements are being created, the benefits accrued remain payable and can be inherited under certain circumstances.

How Much Can You Get from the Additional State Pension In 2025?

There is no fixed amount for the Additional State Pension, but the maximum you can receive in 2025–26 is £222.10 per week, excluding any top-ups.

The actual amount varies depending on your:

• NI contribution record
• Earnings history
• Contracted-out periods
• Eligibility for top-ups

Pension Type	Maximum Weekly Amount (2025–26)
Basic State Pension	£176.45
Additional State Pension	£222.10
New State Pension (from 2016)	£230.25

If you reached State Pension age before April 2016, your total pension includes both the basic and additional amounts. If you reached pension age after April 2016, any amount above the new full State Pension is treated as a protected payment, which increases with inflation.

What Is Contracting Out, and How Does It Affect Your Additional State Pension?

Contracting out allowed employees to opt-out of the Additional State Pension in exchange for reduced National Insurance contributions and potentially higher workplace pension benefits.

How Did Contracting Out Work?

If your employer offered a contracted-out workplace pension, your NI contributions were lower, and you did not build up entitlement to the Additional State Pension for those years. This applied primarily to defined benefit and defined contribution schemes in the public and private sectors.

In most cases, the pension you earned from contracting out was equal to or greater than the Additional State Pension you forfeited. Contracting out ended on 6 April 2016. Since then, all employees pay the standard NI rate.

Can You Check If You Were Contracted Out?

You can find out by:

• Looking at old payslips (they often mention “D” or “N” NI categories).
• Contacting your pension provider.
• Using the Pension Tracing Service if you’ve lost contact with providers.

Can You Still Contribute to the Additional State Pension Today?

No, you can no longer make new contributions to the Additional State Pension. The system was closed to new accruals from 6 April 2016, when the new State Pension was introduced.

If you built up entitlement before this date, it still counts towards your total pension. Any amount above the new State Pension threshold is treated as a protected payment and increases with inflation.

Currently, NI contributions count only towards the new State Pension, which simplifies the process for future retirees.

Can You Inherit an Additional State Pension from a Spouse or Civil Partner?

You may be eligible to inherit part of your spouse’s or civil partner’s Additional State Pension, depending on when they died and when you both reached State Pension age.

• If they died before 6 October 2002, you can inherit up to 100% of their SERPS.
• If they died after that, the maximum you can inherit depends on their date of birth.

Man’s Date of Birth	Woman’s Date of Birth	Max % of SERPS Inheritable
5 Oct 1937 or before	5 Oct 1942 or before	100%
6 Oct 1937 – 5 Oct 1939	6 Oct 1942 – 5 Oct 1944	90%
6 Oct 1939 – 5 Oct 1941	6 Oct 1944 – 5 Oct 1946	80%
6 Oct 1941 – 5 Oct 1943	6 Oct 1946 – 5 Oct 1948	70%
6 Oct 1943 – 5 Oct 1945	6 Oct 1948 – 5 July 1950	60%
6 Oct 1945 and after	6 July 1950 and after	50%

Inheritance rules differ for:

• SERPS
• State Second Pension (S2P)
• State Pension top-up schemes

Additional State Pension cannot be inherited if you remarry or form a new civil partnership before reaching State Pension age.

How Is the Additional State Pension Paid, and Does It Increase Annually?

The Additional State Pension is paid directly alongside your basic State Pension, and both are deposited into your bank account, typically every four weeks.

In terms of annual increases, the Additional State Pension:

• Rises in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
• May be frozen if you live in certain countries overseas
• Protected payments under the new State Pension also increase by CPI each year

These adjustments are designed to maintain the real value of your pension, offering some protection against the rising cost of living.

Conclusion

The Additional State Pension is a key part of the UK’s older pension system, offering an earnings-related boost to those who qualified before April 2016.

While it no longer accepts new contributions, understanding how it’s calculated, who is entitled, and what happens upon retirement or bereavement remains essential.

Whether you’re reviewing your retirement income or supporting a relative, knowing the ins and outs of the Additional State Pension helps you make informed financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my additional state pension if I move abroad?

If you live abroad, you can still receive the Additional State Pension. However, whether it increases each year depends on the country you move to and whether it has a social security agreement with the UK.

How can I get a forecast of my total state pension, including any additional amounts?

You can request a pension forecast online through the government’s portal or by contacting the Pension Service. This will show your expected payments based on your NI record.

Will my additional state pension affect my entitlement to Pension Credit?

Yes, your Additional State Pension is counted as income and may reduce the amount of Pension Credit you’re eligible to receive.

Can I defer my additional state pension for a higher payout later?

Yes, if you defer claiming your State Pension, including the additional part, it can increase. The increase depends on the length of deferral.

Does Carer’s Credit help build up an additional state pension?

If you received Carer’s Credit between 2002 and 2016 while looking after someone, it could count towards your State Second Pension contributions.

What form do I need to share my additional state pension during a divorce?

If you’re getting divorced, you must complete form BR20 to declare your pension details for potential sharing in a financial settlement.

Are there differences in additional state pension rules for public sector workers?

Yes, many public sector workers were contracted out through workplace schemes, which may reduce or eliminate their Additional State Pension entitlement.