DWP Extra £694 for State Pensioners who born after 1951: There’s some relief for millions of state pensioners in the UK. If you were born after 1951, you could get £694 in extra pension. But this benefit isn’t automatic for everyone you’ll need to delay your retirement by a year and meet certain conditions.
New state pension: Who gets it?
According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the new state pension is available to:
- Men born after 6 April 1951
- Women born after 6 April 1953
- If you were born before these dates, you’ll be eligible for the old basic state pension.
But note: the state pension isn’t automatic. You have to make a claim to the DWP when you reach pension age. That is, this money will not be available without applying.
How will you get £694 extra?
- This extra amount is available in the event that you defer your pension for a year, that is, do not apply for it immediately, but claim it after a year.
- This process is called “deferring your state pension”.
- Understand with an example: If your state pension starting date is 1 July 2025 and you defer it till 1 July 2026, then the government gives you £694 extra as a kind of “interest”.
Benefits of deferring pension

- Additional amount: Increase in pension by about 1% every week, which can mean an additional amount of up to £694 annually.
- Lifetime benefit: This increase remains applicable for your entire life.
- Not taxable every time: In some cases it can also be tax free, especially if your income is within the limit.
What are the necessary conditions?
- You must have reached pension age 66 (or the age determined by your date of birth)
- You must not have claimed your state pension yet
- You must have waited a year without claiming your pension
- You must have a sufficient National Insurance record (usually 10 years or more)
How to claim?
- Log in to Gov.uk
- Choose the State Pension defer or delay claim option
- Fill in the required form or contact the DWP helpline
- If you have already claimed, the deferral will not benefit
Is this true for everyone?
No. If you are already on another pension scheme or you are older, the benefits you can get from this scheme may be very limited.
People may particularly benefit from:
- those with other sources of income
- those below the full tax bracket
- those who want their pension to come in later but with more
Essential contacts and sources of information
- DWP Pension Service Helpline: 0800 731 7898
- Official Website: www.gov.uk/state-pension
- Local Jobcentre or Pension Advisory Service may also be of help
Why is the DWP scheme so “hidden”?
Many pensioners don’t know about the scheme because the Government does not publicise it much. The facility is not “automatic”, meaning if you don’t take the initiative to take advantage of it yourself, you won’t get the extra £694.
The Government recognises that people who can defer their pension are already financially well off to some extent. So the scheme is most useful for those who can avoid claiming too early.
Is a National Insurance Record required?
Yes, this scheme requires you to have a good National Insurance (NI) contribution record.

For the new state pension:
- Minimum 10 years of contributions are required
- 35 years of contributions are required for the full state pension
- If your contributions are not complete, you will receive a reduced amount or can make up for it by making voluntary NI contributions.
Is this amount taxable?
- If your total annual income (including the pension) is less than the Personal Allowance (approximately £12,570 in 2025), this amount can remain tax free.
- But if you’re earning more from other pension schemes or savings income, this additional £694 may be taxable.
- Tip: It’s always worth contacting HMRC to clarify your tax position.
Are there any disadvantages?
Yes, there are disadvantages in certain circumstances:
- If you have a short life expectancy or are suffering from a serious illness, deferring may not be the right option.
- Deferring a pension may cause you to miss out on some means-tested benefits (such as Pension Credit).
- If you defer and then don’t receive your pension, the amount won’t be automatically received when you die — so it’s important that your will or nominee arrangements are clear.
Conclusion:
If you’re in a strong financial position and can afford to go without a pension for a year, this scheme could be a great option for you. The extra £694 each year can top up your pension and continue to be paid for life.If you’re born after 1951 and haven’t yet claimed your State Pension, the extra £694 per year could be an attractive option but it’s not right for everyone.
FAQs
Q1. What is the £694 extra payment for state pensioners?
A. The £694 extra is an annual increase to your State Pension that can be earned by deferring your claim for at least 12 months after reaching State Pension age.
Q2. Who is eligible for this extra amount?
A. Men born on or after April 6, 1951 and women born on or after April 6, 1953 who qualify for the New State Pension are eligible to defer and potentially receive the additional amount.
Q3. Do I get this £694 bonus automatically?
A. No, it is not automatic. You must choose to defer your State Pension instead of claiming it as soon as you become eligible.
Q4. How is the extra amount calculated?
A. The New State Pension increases by around 5.8% for every full year you defer. The exact amount depends on how long you delay and your current entitlement.
Q5. Is there a minimum deferral period to qualify?
A. Yes. You need to defer your State Pension for at least 9 weeks, but to receive lump sum payments or higher weekly amounts, a full year or longer is typically required.