Pensioners and those who reach pension age in the next 2 years will be able to get up to £25 of additional State Pension a week.
Pensioners and those who reach pension age in the next 2 years will be able to acquire up to £25 of additional State Pension a week under plans set out today (2 April 2014) by the Pensions Minister.
The State Pension top up will be available from October 2015 to all those reaching State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
The scheme will allow people the opportunity to get inflation-proofed additional State Pension by making Class 3A Voluntary National Insurance contributions.
The cost of a State Pension top up is based on a person’s age and takes average life expectancy into account. For a 65-year-old an extra £1 of pension a week will be £890, whereas for a 75-year-old the contribution rate for the same amount of pension is £674.
A calculator is available online which illustrates the contribution rates based on age and how much people wish to increase their additional pension by at www.gov.uk/state-pension-topup
Minister for Pensions Steve Webb said:
"The State Pension top up will provide an opportunity for people to boost their retirement income by up to £25 a week. This is another bold action in how we build a stronger economy through choice in retirement income.
The scheme will give them a guaranteed, index-linked return and will be particularly attractive for women pensioners who will draw the higher pension for longer. It will also help the self-employed, who currently qualify for only the basic State Pension."
The top ups can be inherited, with a surviving spouse or civil partner entitled to at least 50% of the additional State Pension
This measure along with the newly announced Pensioner Bond that will be available from National Savings and Investments in 2015, demonstrates the government’s commitment to a fairer society by improving outcomes for those in retirement and providing increased flexibility for people to make the most of their savings.
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