State pension

Where can I find out more about the State Pension?

More information about the State Pension is available on the Government website.

Your State Pension age

You have probably heard about how the government is increasing the state pension age. You can use the State Pension age calculator to work out when your state pension will become payable.

What amount of State Pension will I receive?

Not all individuals will receive the full amount of the new State Pension.  You can use the Government’s online service to find out:

  • how much State Pension you could get (this amount is also known as your State Pension forecast);
  • when you can get it; and
  • how to increase it, if you can.

Was I contracted out at the University?

All employees pay NI towards the basic state pension if they earn over the NI earnings threshold, but prior to 6 April 2016 members of contracted out schemes did not pay towards SERPS or Additional Pension. You can find out more about contracting out on the Government website.

USS and NHSPS were always contracted out schemes until this was abolished on 6 April 2016. OSPS was only contracted out from 6 April 1995, so if you were a member of OSPS before that date you were contracted in to SERPS.

Useful links