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Pensions and retirement planning
Understanding your State Pension forecast
If you have received your State Pension forecast and need help with the terms used, this page will help to explain them. If you need further help or have more questions, use the contact details below to find out more.
Additional State Pension
Additional State Pension is an earnings-related pension, paid on top of the basic State Pension. It was originally called the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) and was replaced by the additional State Pension in 2002.
You may be entitled to a higher additional State Pension than what is shown on your forecast, if all of the following apply:
- you receive long-term Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
- you have received long-term Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance for any full tax year (or years) since 6 April 2002
- you will reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010
IT systems are being updated to reflect this.
Home Responsibilities Protection – what is it?
Home Responsibilities Protection helps to protect your pension by reducing the number of qualifying years needed for a basic State Pension.
You may get Home Responsibilities Protection if you spend time caring for a child or a sick or disabled person and receive certain benefits.
Future State Pension increases
Your State Pension forecast is based on current rates of State Pension.
Basic State Pension
Basic State Pension rates currently rise in line with the increase in average prices (or inflation). At some time in the future this will change, so that the rates increase in line with average earnings.
As a result, the amount of basic State Pension that you receive when you reach your State Pension age may be different to the amount shown in your forecast. This is due to the change in the law expected from 2012, and changes in the levels of average prices and earnings over time.
Additional State Pension
Until you reach State Pension age your additional State Pension will be revalued each year in line with average earnings. Once you have reached State Pension age it will then increase in line with average prices.
Spouse or partner’s State Pension entitlements
If your spouse or partner has not reached State Pension age, they should apply for a State Pension forecast in their own right. If they have already reached State Pension age and do not receive their State Pension they should contact The Pension Service.
Contracting out of the additional State Pension
Contracting out means that you have joined a company, stakeholder or personal pension scheme that can be used to replace all, or part, of the additional State Pension.
If there is a contracted out deduction on your forecast you can find out more by contacting HM Revenue & Customs (HRMC).
More help understanding your State Pension forecast
If you need further help understanding your forecast there is a guide that you can download.
Contact the State Pension forecast team
If you have further questions about the content of your forecast then contact the State Pension forecast team.
National Insurance
For more information about how National Insurance contributions affect your State Pension forecast see the following page.
