Types of state pensions
Basic State Pension
This is a government-administered pension, based on the number of qualifying years gained through National Insurance (NI) contributions you’ve paid, are treated as having paid or have been credited with throughout your working life.
Find out more about basic State Pension
Additional State Pension
The additional State Pension, or State Second Pension, is paid in addition to the basic State Pension. Until April 2002, the additional State Pension was called the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme [SERPS].