SERPS Additional State Pension Calculator

Estimate your SERPS (1978–2002) and S2P (2002–2016) additional state pension. Includes contracting-out adjustment. Check your actual entitlement at gov.uk.

SERPS / Additional State Pension Calculator

The State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) was active 1978–2002, replaced by State Second Pension (S2P) 2002–2016. Estimate your additional state pension entitlement.

Years of SERPS Contributions (1978–2002) Average Band Earnings During SERPS Years (£ per year) Years of S2P Contributions (2002–2016) Average Earnings During S2P Years (£ per year) Were you contracted out at any point?

Frequently Asked Questions

What was SERPS (State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme)?

SERPS was a UK government pension scheme running from 1978 to 2002 that provided an additional state pension on top of the basic state pension, based on earnings between the Lower Earnings Limit and Upper Earnings Limit. It was replaced by the State Second Pension (S2P) in 2002.

What replaced SERPS in 2002?

The State Second Pension (S2P) replaced SERPS from April 2002. S2P was more redistributive — low earners received relatively more than under SERPS. S2P ran until April 2016, when both SERPS and S2P were replaced by the new flat-rate State Pension.

What happened to my SERPS entitlement in 2016?

When the new State Pension was introduced in April 2016, everyone's existing SERPS and S2P entitlements were calculated and 'banked' as a starting amount. If this was above the full new State Pension (£221.20/week in 2025/26), you receive the higher amount. If below, you build towards the full amount with further NI contributions.

What is 'contracting out' of SERPS?

If you were contracted out, you or your employer directed NIC that would have gone to SERPS into a private or occupational pension instead. You received a rebate on your NIC but built up less SERPS/S2P entitlement. Private pensions from this contracting-out period are called 'protected rights' (pre-2012) or 'safeguarded benefits'.

How do I find out my actual SERPS entitlement?

You can get a State Pension forecast via the government's 'Check your State Pension' service at gov.uk/check-state-pension. This shows your projected pension based on your actual NI record, including any SERPS/S2P previously accumulated.

Can I inherit my spouse's SERPS pension?

There is a right to inherit between 50% and 100% of a late spouse's SERPS pension, depending on the age of the deceased at pension age and when they reached State Pension Age. The percentage was capped at 50% for those reaching SPA from 6 October 2002.

What was the maximum SERPS pension?

Under SERPS, the maximum additional pension was 25% of band earnings over the full 20 years of contributions (1978–1997). The accrual rate was later reduced to 20% for earnings after 1988. The maximum weekly SERPS element was around £175/week for those with full high-earning records.

Does the new State Pension include SERPS?

Yes. The new State Pension (from April 2016) consolidated all previous entitlements (basic state pension + SERPS + S2P) into a single payment. People who reached State Pension Age before April 2016 still receive the separate basic + additional state pension components.