Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason contributors to SERPS have not been given full transitional protection in the changeover to the new state pension; and if she will make a statement.

No one who qualifies for the new State Pension will receive less than they would have done under the previous system, based on their National Insurance record to 6 April 2016.

Amounts of additional State Pension (formerly State Earnings Related Pensions and Graduated Retirement Benefit) built before 2016 are carried forward into the new system, as part of the calculation of the Starting Amount for new State Pension.

Where the amount of additional State Pension already built up at 6 April 2016 exceeded the full rate of new State Pension (when combined with basic State Pension eligibility) the excess will be paid to the individual as a ‘Protected Payment’ when they reach State Pension age.