State pensioners born before these years could get a much needed £2,991 boost to their state pension. : State pensioners born before certain years could get themselves a state pension boost worth £2,991 a year. That’s because of a change to the state pension system eight years ago which means millions of pensioners are being paid less than they need to live on. But with one simple claim, state pensioners born at a certain time could land themselves another £2,522 plus some extra benefits on top. The state pension system was changed in 2016.