DWP Set to Give Some State Pensioners ‘Triple’ Payments Totaling £36,000

A surprising anomaly in the UK pension system has resulted in hundreds of pensioners receiving triple the standard state pension.

As revealed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), 324 retirees are benefiting from state pension payouts amounting to at least £36,000 annually—significantly exceeding the typical state pension amount.

Why Some Pensioners Are Getting £692 Weekly

These substantial payments stem from individuals who retired before April 2016 under the old state pension system. Due to how the system was structured, these retirees receive:

• A basic state pension
• Plus payments from an additional earnings-related component, known as SERPS (State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme)

Altogether, this equates to £692.30 per week, or £36,000 per year.

What Is SERPS and Why It Matters

The State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) allowed workers to earn extra pension income based on their salary and national insurance contributions. Some recipients are getting as much as £222.10 weekly from SERPS alone, on top of their standard pension.

This scheme was only available before the 2016 pension reform, which replaced the old system with the new flat-rate pension.

Experts Weigh In on the Disparity

Sir Steve Webb – Former Pensions Minister

Sir Steve Webb, who was instrumental in introducing the 2016 pension reforms, emphasized the massive variations in outcomes under the old system. He noted that:

“Some retirees are receiving over £300 per week, while others received much less.”

Webb clarified that such high-value state pensions are now impossible to achieve under the current system. However, individuals who retired before 2016 will continue to enjoy the benefits of the older structure.

Tom McPhail – Independent Pensions Specialist

Pensions expert Tom McPhail commented that the old pension scheme created significant winners, but also heightened inequality among retirees.

He explained:

“While some older retirees are benefitting handsomely, younger workers now face lower private pensions, later retirement ages, and higher tax burdens.”

McPhail acknowledged that many working-age individuals today might feel frustrated or left out, especially seeing how some pensioners secured such lucrative packages under the old system.

Key Figures at a Glance

Details	Value
Number of retirees affected	324
Weekly pension received	£692.30+
Annual pension income	£36,000+
SERPS maximum weekly addition	£222.10
Applies to retirees before	April 2016
Still receiving payments?	Yes

The current revelations about state pensioners receiving triple the typical amount highlight the disparities between the old and new pension systems.

While these £36,000 annual payments are legally due and reflect past contributions, they underscore a system that once offered substantial rewards to a lucky few.

With newer pension rules placing tighter limits on future entitlements, younger generations may find it harder to achieve similar financial outcomes from the state pension alone.

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