Until 5 April 2016, the State Pension paid to people reaching state pension age (SPA) was split into two parts, the basic State Pension and the additional State Pension.
The additional State Pension was originally part of the State Graduated Pension Scheme, which changed to the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) in 1978 and then to the State Second Pension (S2P) in April 2002.
People who reach their SPA after 5 April 2016 will receive a flat rate single tier State Pension.
Download our helpful factsheet called 'Your State Pension Questions & Answers.
State pensions are increased on the first Monday after 5 April each year, at the same time as your LGPS pension.
Any increases that the State may pay towards your GMP are explained on the next page.
The State Pension usually increases each year by the highest of the following, known as the ‘triple lock’:
Earnings – the average percentage increase in UK wages
Prices – the percentage increase in the cost of living (CPI)
2.5%
You can find out more about the state pension, check your SPA and get a forecast online by visiting www.gov.uk/state-pension
You can also write to: The Pension Service 9, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LU
You can telephone them on:
0800 731 0175
0800 731 0453 (Welsh language)
+44 191 218 3600 if calling from outside the UK
18001 then 0800 731 0175 (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone).