The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to provide state pensioners with extra cash in May 2026, as the Additional State Pension, also known as Serps or State Second Pension, will rise in line with inflation at 3.8% from April. This increase applies automatically to eligible recipients without the need for a separate claim.
Who Qualifies for the Additional State Pension?
The Additional State Pension is an extra payment on top of the basic State Pension for individuals born before specific dates: men born before 6 April 1951 and women born before 6 April 1953. The amount received varies and depends on four key factors outlined by the DWP:
- Number of years you paid National Insurance contributions
- Your earnings during your working life
- Whether you were contracted out of the scheme
- Whether you topped up your basic State Pension (only possible between 12 October 2015 and 5 April 2017)
There is no fixed amount for the Additional State Pension. It is paid directly into your bank account along with your basic State Pension.
Automatic Entitlement and No Claim Required
If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 and are already claiming the basic State Pension, you will automatically receive any Additional State Pension you are entitled to. No separate claim is necessary. However, you may not receive the Additional State Pension for periods when you were contracted out of the scheme.
The Additional State Pension comprises three schemes, and you may have contributed to more than one depending on your work history and whether you opted to top up your State Pension.
The DWP states: "You do not have to do anything to claim the Additional State Pension. If you’re eligible for an Additional State Pension, you’ll automatically get it when you claim your State Pension. After you claim, the Pension Service will write to you and tell you how much you’re getting."
It is important to note that individuals who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 will not receive the Additional State Pension; instead, they will receive the new State Pension.
