State pensioners are set to receive an extra £439 over the year thanks to uprating by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This increase applies to the Additional State Pension, which includes the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) and the Second State Pension. From 6 April 2026, the maximum weekly Additional Pension payment rose from £222.10 to £230.54, providing significant extra income for eligible pensioners (Which?, 2026).
Understanding the Additional State Pension
Before 2002, contributions to the Additional State Pension, then known as SERPS, were only possible for those in paid employment. With the introduction of the State Second Pension scheme (2002–2016), eligibility expanded.
Employees earning at least £113 per week, carers of children under 12 claiming child benefit, those receiving carer’s credit, and claimants of certain disability-related benefits could all contribute via their National Insurance.
The amount of Additional State Pension a pensioner receives depends on several factors, including years of National Insurance contributions, earnings during those years, and whether they were contracted out of the scheme.
There is no fixed payout, and payments can vary widely among claimants. For 2026–27, the maximum Additional State Pension is £230.54 per week, not including the standard State Pension top-up.
Who Is Eligible?
Pensioners who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 are not eligible for the Additional State Pension. These individuals receive the new single-tier State Pension instead.
Those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and are claiming the basic State Pension will automatically receive any Additional State Pension they are entitled to, with no separate application required.
However, periods when an individual was contracted out of the scheme may not count toward their Additional State Pension entitlement. Many pensioners may have contributed to more than one scheme, as the Additional State Pension consists of SERPS, the Second State Pension, and the state pension top-up (DWP, 2026).
Maximizing Pension Income
Eligible pensioners do not need to take additional steps to claim the Additional State Pension if they are already receiving the basic State Pension. Understanding which schemes they contributed to and whether they were contracted out can help pensioners estimate their full entitlement.
Combined with Pension Credit and other government support, the Additional State Pension forms an important part of overall retirement income, offering financial security and helping to offset rising living costs.
