The Government has indicated that it wants to offer more to existing pensioners and people who reach State Pension age before 6 April 2016 when the single-tier pension is introduced.

 To achieve this a new Class 3A voluntary contribution will be available from October 2015 to April 2017.

 The Class 3A contribution will allow people to top up their additional State Pension.

The rate of contribution, which will be a lump sum payment, will be set at an actuarially fair rate that ensures that both individual contributors and the tax payer get a fair deal.

 The scheme will be only be open for a limited period as it is expected that most people who want to take-up Class 3A entitlement will do so in the first few months.

 You may want to consider the effects this may have on your State Pension at retirement.