The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is offering state pensioners born before 1951 an additional payment of up to £922.16 on top of their basic state pension through the Additional State Pension (AP) scheme. The maximum AP payment is capped at £230.54 per week from April 2026, providing a significant boost for eligible retirees.
Who is eligible for the Additional State Pension?
Eligibility depends on birth year and National Insurance contributions. Men born before 1951 and women born before 1953 can qualify for the AP. The amount received is based on how many years you paid National Insurance, your earnings, and whether you were contracted out of the scheme. Consumer magazine Which? explains: "The amount of additional state pension you'll get depends on how many years you paid National Insurance for, how much you earned and whether you contracted out of the scheme. The maximum additional state pension you can get in 2026-27 is £230.54 a week (not including state pension top-up)."
How to claim the Additional State Pension
You do not need to take any action to claim the Additional State Pension. If you are eligible, you will automatically receive it when you claim your State Pension. After claiming, the Pension Service will write to you confirming how much you are getting. This automatic process ensures that eligible pensioners receive their entitlement without additional paperwork.
Inheriting Additional State Pension from a spouse or civil partner
If your spouse or civil partner dies, you may be able to inherit part of their Additional State Pension. You can inherit up to 50% of their State Second Pension. The maximum you can inherit depends on when your spouse or civil partner died. If they died before 6 October 2002, you can inherit up to 100% of their SERPS pension. For deaths on or after 6 October 2002, the maximum SERPS pension and State Pension top-up you can inherit depends on their date of birth. If your spouse or civil partner died within 90 days of topping up their State Pension, the top-up should have been refunded to their estate, meaning you will not inherit that portion as part of their Additional State Pension.
