Additional State Pension: Eligibility and Benefits for UK Citizens Born Before 1951/1953

Strategic Insights -

Some older people in the UK, born before April 6, 1951 (men) or April 6, 1953 (women), may be eligible for an additional form of state pension, known as the Additional State Pension. This type of pension is available only to those who claim the basic State Pension, rather than the new State Pension. The Additional State Pension is based on a person's earnings and the number of years of National Insurance contributions they have made. Those who have topped up their Pension between October 2015 and April 2017 may also be eligible for extra money alongside their State Pension.

Key Takeaways:

  • To be eligible for the Additional State Pension, you must have reached the State Pension age before April 6, 2016, and be claiming the basic State Pension.
  • The Additional State Pension is made up of three different schemes: State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS), State Second Pension, and State Pension top-up.
  • The Additional State Pension is based on a person's earnings, National Insurance contributions, and whether their Pension was topped up between October 2015 and April 2017.
  • If you're eligible for the Additional State Pension, you should automatically receive it as long as you're eligible for it in most circumstances.
  • However, if you were contracted out of the Additional State Pension, you won't receive it automatically and will need to contact your pension provider to confirm this.
  • The Pension Tracing Service can be used to find your pension provider's details if you're unable to do so.

Statistics:

  • 1951: The year before which men born must have been born to be eligible for the Additional State Pension.
  • 1953: The year before which women born must have been born to be eligible for the Additional State Pension.
  • 2002: The year before which employees and certain benefit recipients would have contributed to the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS).
  • 1978: The year before which employees would have contributed to the State Second Pension.
  • 2016: The year before which the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) was closed to new contributions.
  • 2015-2017: The period during which individuals could top up their Pension to be eligible for the Additional State Pension.

Sources:

  • By, Kieran Isgin
  • Getty Images (credit)