Reaching state pension age prior to 6 April 2016

Where the individual reached state pension age before 6 April 2016, there are three types of state pension payable in the UK:

1. •

   category A ― the basic state pension and state second pension (S2P, formerly SERPS), based on the individual’s national insurance contribution (NIC) record

2. •

   category B ― the basic state pension and S2P, based on the taxpayer’s spouse or civil partner’s NIC record (can be claimed if the spouse / civil partner’s record is better than their own)

3. •

   category D ― the supplement payable to those pensioners over 80 years old irrespective of contribution record

Categories A and B are mutually exclusive; an individual cannot claim a state pension under both. However, taxpayers in receipt of a category A or B pension are entitled to a category D supplement