Eligible older state pensioners could receive up to £415.44 per week if they max out both their basic state pension and Additional Pension DWP payments in 2026-27
Older state pensioners are receiving up to £415.44 per week if they maximise two elements of their DWP payments this financial year. Many older state pensioners are also entitled to additional ‘increments’ on top of their basic state pension amount through an older scheme known as Additional Pension (AP).
Additional Pension is the umbrella term for a range of extra pension schemes that older state pensioners were able to take advantage of before the basic state pension was phased out and replaced in 2016 with the new state pension.
AP encompasses schemes such as the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) and the Second State Pension. While it can no longer be claimed by those retiring now, individuals who participated in the schemes can still receive AP payments each week, and the DWP has, from April onwards, raised the maximum amount these schemes pay out weekly.
The maximum AP payment available to older state pensioners was uplifted by the Treasury and the DWP in April. From April 6, older state pensioners saw their maximum possible AP payments increase from £222.10 per week to £230.54 per week.
Across a full year, that represents an additional £646.88, reports the Express. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
This comes on top of the basic state pension payment, which rose from £176.45 to £184.90 at the same time, for an older pre-2016 state pensioner who holds a full National Insurance record.
In total, this means an older, basic state pensioner could receive as much as £415.44 per week solely from the DWP for their state pension — a figure that exceeds what new state pensioners receive, who are entitled to just £241.30 per week with a fully maximised National Insurance record.
Consumer magazine Which? explains: “Before 2002, you could only contribute to the additional state pension (then known as the state earnings-related pension scheme, or Serps) if you were employed.
“However, under the state second pension scheme, which ran from 2002 to 2016, you could contribute through your National Insurance contributions if you were:”.
It adds: “There is no fixed amount for the additional state pension.
“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).”
