State pensioners born before 1951 are seeing their basic rate increased thanks to the Additional State Pension. The weekly payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at a basic rate is £184.90 per week for the 2026/27 tax year.
Who Qualifies for the Additional State Pension?
The DWP basic state pension applies to men born before 6 April 1951 and women born before 6 April 1953. However, there is a way to increase this by up to £230.54 through the Additional State Pension. The amount you receive depends on several factors, including how many years you paid National Insurance, your earnings, and whether you contracted out of the scheme.
Maximum Additional State Pension
The maximum additional state pension you can get in 2026-27 is £230.54 a week (not including state pension top-up), according to Which?, the consumer watchdog. The DWP explains: "The Additional State Pension is an extra amount of money you could get on top of your basic State Pension if you're a man born before 6 April 1951 or a woman born before 6 April 1953."
"You get the new State Pension if you were born on or after this date. You will not qualify for the Additional State Pension, but you might still be able to inherit Additional State Pension from your partner. You get the Additional State Pension automatically if you're eligible for it, unless you've contracted out of it. The Additional State Pension is paid with your basic State Pension."
How Is the Amount Calculated?
There is no fixed amount for the Additional State Pension. How much you get depends on:
- How many years you paid National Insurance for
- Your earnings
- Whether you've contracted out of the scheme
- Whether you topped up your basic State Pension (this was only possible between 12 October 2015 and 5 April 2017)
For more information, visit the official DWP website or consult a financial advisor.
