Who does not get additional State Pension?

You do not build up additional State Pension if one of the following applies to you:

· you are self-employed (because you pay lower National Insurance contributions)

· you are unemployed

· you are in full-time training

You may get credits towards your basic State Pension while you are not working, but you do not build up additional State Pension.

In some cases, if you are unable to work because of illness or disability, you will not build up additional State Pension.

How to claim the additional State Pension

If you have earned the right to additional State Pension then you should receive it when you claim your basic State Pension. See ‘Claiming the basic State Pension’ to find out more about how you can claim your State Pension.

When can I claim the additional State Pension?

If you are entitled to additional State Pension then you can claim it when you reach State Pension age. See ‘Calculating your State Pension age’ to find out when your State Pension age is.

You can also choose to take your State Pension later on. See ‘State Pension deferral’ to find out more.

How additional State Pension is increased

Additional parts of the State Pension rise in line with the increase in prices. These include:

· the State Second Pension (S2P)

· the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS)

· Graduated Retirement Benefit

· Extra State Pension received for deferring or putting off (deferring) your State Pension claim (also called ‘increments’)

Until you reach State Pension age, the State Second Pension or SERPS you have built up will usually increase with the growth in average earnings. This is also known as ‘revaluation’.

Claiming the State Pension

The Pension Service will write to you before you reach your State Pension age. They will explain your options, including how to claim your State Pension or how you can put it off until later. Find out what to do if you are not contacted.

When you can claim your State Pension

You can claim your State Pension when you reach your State Pension age. Not everyone has the same State Pension age, so you need to find out what yours is.

How to claim your State Pension

Four months before you reach State Pension age, The Pension Service will write to you. The letter will tell you if you need to claim your State Pension. If you are getting certain social security benefits you may not need to claim.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1116