Guidance

State Pension top up: guidance for pension advisers

Guidance for organisations and businesses who give advice to people about pensions on how they can top up their State Pension.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 19 March 2015
• Last updated: 17 February 2017 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on 6 April 2017

The State Pension top up scheme closed on 5 April 2017.

Documents

State Pension top up: guidance for pension advisers

PDF, 201 KB, 6 pages

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Welsh: Ffeithlen ychwanegiad at Bensiwn y Wladwriaethp Cyflwyniad

PDF, 238 KB, 7 pages

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Details

This publication is withdrawn

This publication is no longer current.

Available until 5 April 2017, the State Pension top up scheme can provide additional guaranteed pension income for life.

Anyone eligible to receive a State Pension before 6 April 2016 can obtain a State Pension top up to increase their pension income by between £1 and £25 per week.

It offers:

• a boost in retirement income up to £1,300 per year for life
• pension payments protected against inflation
• inheritance, in most cases, for a surviving spouse or civil partner of between 50% and 100% of top up income

How it works

Applications must be made by 5 April 2017. The amount of the contribution payable depends on the age of the applicant and the amount of extra income they want.

Use the State Pension top up calculator to find out what contribution will be required.

Apply or find out more at www.gov.uk/statepensiontopup

Individuals can also find more information about the scheme in the State Pension top up booklet.

Published 19 March 2015
Last updated 17 February 2017 + show all updates

1. 17 February 2017

   Added information about the closing date.

2. 14 June 2016

   Updated English and Welsh PDFs to improve the guidance on the cooling off period and other issues.

3. 21 April 2016

   Added updated Welsh guidance for the April 2016 State Pension changes.

4. 8 April 2016

   Updated following the April 2016 State Pension changes (English only – Welsh to follow).

5. 13 October 2015

   Published revised version of the guidance document because top up applications can now be made.

6. 12 October 2015

   Updated to say that applications can now be made.

7. 19 March 2015

   First published.