![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0_Senior-woman-and-her-daughter-going-through-paperwork-using-laptop-computer.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that some state pensioners who retired before 2016 could be entitled to an extra \u00a3922 a month through the Additional Pension (AP) scheme, which includes legacy SERPS payments and the pre-2016 state pension top-up.<\/p>\n
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that some state pensioners who retired before 2016 could be entitled to an extra \u00a3922 a month (Image: Kathrin Ziegler via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
State pensioners in receipt of AP – additional pension – can receive \u00a3230.54 weekly or \u00a3922 monthly from the Department for Work and Pensions<\/a>. The DWP’s<\/a> enhanced payments apply to older pensioners who qualify for elements from legacy schemes such as SERPS and Second State Pension<\/a>.<\/p>\n Maximum AP payments were uprated in April, rising from \u00a3222.10 to \u00a3230.54 by the DWP. This means some eligible claimants could be receiving \u00a3922 additional each month.<\/p>\n However, be warned: the amount of Additional Pension paid depends on factors including years of National Insurance contributions, earnings, and whether a pensioner contracted out of the scheme. While new applications for AP schemes are closed, existing beneficiaries continue to collect these supplementary payments alongside their basic state pension.<\/p>\n 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.”, reports Birmingham Live<\/a>.<\/p>\n “However, under the state second pension scheme, which ran from 2002 to 2016, you could contribute through your National Insurance contributions.”<\/p>\n That is if you were an employee earning at least \u00a3113 a week, caring for one or more children under 12 and claiming child benefit or claiming carer’s credit, as well as if you were claiming certain disability-related benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n It adds: “There is no fixed amount for the additional state pension.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “The maximum additional state pension you can get in 2026-27 is \u00a3230.54 a week (not including state pension top-up).”<\/p>\n Prior to the 2016 State Pension reforms, individuals, along with their workplace or private pension provider, had the option to ‘contract out’ of the Additional State Pension.<\/p>\n The Additional State Pension was also referred to as the State Second Pension or ‘SERPs’. All contracting out arrangements ceased on 5 April 2016.<\/p>\n Following this date, all National Insurance contributions are made at the standard rate until an individual reaches State Pension age.<\/p>\n Making ChronicleLive a preferred source of North East news in Google means you see more of our breaking news and the latest information on what\u2019s happening in and around Newcastle. Here’s more information<\/a> about why and how to do it – you can do it straight away by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n We have a dedicated newsletter for ChronicleLive\u2019s money-saving and cost of living stories. It\u2019s free and you can sign up to receive it here<\/a>. It will keep you up to date with all the latest money news and budgeting tips as well as stories on the cost of living crisis in our region.<\/p>\n ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.<\/p>\n We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we’ll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!<\/p>\n To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.<\/p>\n If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our privacy notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Court & Crime community<\/a><\/p>\n Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Northumberland community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our County Durham community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Sunderland community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Great North Run community<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/3_GettyImages-586113546jpgt.jpg\")
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