State Pension Increase 2025/26 – Complete Guide to New Rates

Over 12 million pensioners across the UK saw their State Pension rise by 4.8% from April 2026, adding roughly £575 per year to the full new State Pension under the triple lock guarantee. The increase, confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions, reflects the September 2025 Consumer Prices Index inflation figure of 4.8%.

For the 2026/27 tax year, the full new State Pension now stands at £241.30 per week, up from £230.25 in the previous year. The basic State Pension under the older system rose to £184.90 per week, compared to £176.45 in 2025/26. These changes took effect on Monday, 6 April 2026.

The adjustment follows a larger 8.5% increase in April 2025, which was driven by strong average earnings growth. Together, the two consecutive rises represent a significant cumulative uplift in income for retirees who rely primarily on the State Pension.

How much will the State Pension increase in 2025/26?

Full New State Pension (2026/27)
£241.30 per week
Department for Work and Pensions

Basic State Pension (2026/27)
£184.90 per week
Department for Work and Pensions

Increase mechanism
Triple lock (4.8% based on CPI)
MoneySavingExpert / GOV.UK

Effective date
6 April 2026
GOV.UK official announcement

The 2025/26 tax year had already seen an 8.5% increase based on average earnings growth, which brought the full new State Pension to £230.25 per week and the basic State Pension to £176.45 per week. For 2026/27, the triple lock applied the September 2025 CPI inflation rate of 4.8%, resulting in the current rates.

The full new State Pension increased by £11.05 per week in April 2026, from £230.25 to £241.30.
The basic State Pension rose by £8.45 per week, from £176.45 to £184.90.
Annual equivalent of the full new State Pension is approximately £12,547.60.
Annual equivalent of the basic State Pension is approximately £9,615.
Over 12 million pensioners benefit from the 4.8% uplift, according to the DWP.
The government committed £6 billion to State Pensions and pensioner benefits for the 2026-2027 period.
Pension Credit also rose by 4.8%, with an average annual value of £4,300.

Category	2025/26 rate	2026/27 rate	Increase
Full New State Pension (weekly)	£230.25	£241.30	4.8%
Basic State Pension (weekly)	£176.45	£184.90	4.8%
Full New State Pension (annual)	£11,973	£12,547.60	+£574.60
Basic State Pension (annual)	£9,175.40	£9,614.80	+£439.40
Triple lock basis	Earnings (8.5%)	CPI inflation (4.8%)	—

When does the State Pension increase take effect?

State Pension rates change once per year, on the first Monday of the new tax year. For 2026/27, that date was Monday, 6 April 2026. The increase applies automatically to all eligible pensioners and does not require any application or action.

Will there be a State Pension increase in 2026/27?

Yes. The 4.8% increase for the 2026/27 tax year has already taken effect. The government confirmed the new rates in a press release on 4 April 2026, and the Department for Work and Pensions began paying the higher amounts from the April payment date.

Does the State Pension increase in October 2025?

No. State Pension uprating occurs only in April each year. There is no scheduled increase in October. The April 2025 increase was 8.5%, and the next increase after that took place in April 2026.

When is the next State Pension uprating after April 2026?

The next uprating is expected in April 2027. The rate will depend on the triple lock calculation using whichever is highest among September 2026 CPI inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%. The government will announce the figure in the autumn, typically alongside the Budget.

Payment timing

The State Pension is paid in arrears, usually every four weeks. The April 2026 increase appeared in the first full payment period after 6 April. Pensioners on the basic State Pension saw their weekly amount rise from £176.45 to £184.90, while those on the new State Pension received £241.30 per week instead of £230.25.

How is the State Pension increase calculated?

The UK government uses a mechanism called the triple lock to determine the annual increase. It guarantees that the State Pension rises by the highest of three measures: average earnings growth, CPI inflation measured in September of the previous year, or a fixed floor of 2.5%.

How does the triple lock guarantee work?

Each September, the government compares three figures: the most recent average earnings growth data from the Office for National Statistics, the 12-month CPI inflation rate for September, and the 2.5% minimum. The highest of these three values sets the following April’s State Pension increase.

For the 2026/27 tax year, September 2025 CPI inflation stood at 4.8%. Average earnings growth at that point was lower, and the 2.5% floor was also below the inflation figure. The 4.8% inflation rate therefore determined the uplift.

What inflation figure is used for 2025/26?

The 2025/26 increase did not rely on inflation. Average earnings growth of 8.5% was the highest of the three triple lock measures in September 2024, so the State Pension rose by that percentage instead. That produced the £230.25 weekly rate for the full new State Pension that applied from April 2025.

What are the proposed benefit uprating percentages for 2026/27?

The 4.8% increase for 2026/27 is confirmed and already in payment. It applies not only to the State Pension but also to Pension Credit and a range of other DWP benefits. The government published the proposed rates in February 2026, and they were enacted as planned.

How the triple lock compares

Since the triple lock was restored in 2023, increases have been: 10.1% in 2023/24 (CPI), 8.5% in 2024/25 (earnings), 8.5% in 2025/26 (earnings), and 4.8% in 2026/27 (CPI). The mechanism has consistently delivered increases above 2.5%, which was the floor in every year.

What are the proposed benefit and pension rates for 2026 to 2027?

The 2026/27 rates are no longer proposed but confirmed. The full new State Pension is £241.30 per week, the basic State Pension is £184.90 per week, and Pension Credit also rose by 4.8% to an average annual value of £4,300. Pension Credit includes additional support for housing costs, council tax, and free television licences.

Will the State Pension rise again in 2027?

Barring a suspension of the triple lock, another increase is expected in April 2027. The exact percentage depends on economic data due in September 2026. The Office for Budget Responsibility has projected that triple lock costs could reach £15.5 billion annually by 2030, raising questions about long-term affordability.

How does the 2026/27 increase compare to 2025/26?

The 2026/27 increase of 4.8% is notably lower than the 8.5% rise in 2025/26, but it remains well above the 2.5% floor. The moderation reflects the cooling of both inflation and wage growth compared to the post-pandemic period. Over the two years combined, the full new State Pension has risen from approximately £203.85 per week in 2023/24 to £241.30 in 2026/27.

Tax threshold concern

The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that State Pension rates are approaching the personal tax allowance. The full new State Pension now pays £12,547.60 annually, close to the £12,570 personal allowance. If the trend continues, many pensioners could face income tax on their State Pension alone as early as 2027/28.

What is the timeline for State Pension increases?

April 2024: State Pension increased by 8.5% based on earnings growth, bringing the full new State Pension to approximately £221.20 per week.
September 2024: September CPI inflation was 1.7%, but average earnings growth of 8.5% was higher, setting the triple lock for 2025/26.
April 2025: New rates took effect: full new State Pension £230.25 per week, basic State Pension £176.45 per week (8.5% rise).
September 2025: CPI inflation measured 4.8%, triggering the triple lock for the 2026/27 increase.
February 2026: GOV.UK published the proposed benefit and pension rates for 2026 to 2027, showing the 4.8% uplift.
4 April 2026: DWP press release confirmed over 12 million pensioners would receive a £575 State Pension boost.
6 April 2026: New rates came into effect: full new State Pension £241.30 per week, basic State Pension £184.90 per week.
April 2027 (expected): Next uprating. The percentage depends on September 2026 data under the triple lock.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about the State Pension increase?

Most information about the 2026/27 increase is settled, but certain aspects of future policy remain open.

Established information

The 2026/27 State Pension increase of 4.8% is in effect and confirmed by the DWP.
The triple lock mechanism remains in place for the current tax year.
The full new State Pension rate is £241.30 per week; the basic rate is £184.90 per week.
Pension Credit also increased by 4.8% and includes support for housing, council tax, and TV licences.
The government has committed £6 billion to State Pensions and pensioner benefits for 2026-2027.

Information that remains unclear

Future triple lock pledges by political parties may change after elections, potentially altering the mechanism.
The exact rates for April 2027 depend on September 2026 economic data and are not yet known.
The impact on means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit may vary depending on individual circumstances.
Whether State Pension rates will exceed the personal tax allowance in 2027/28 depends on both the next uprating and any government decision to adjust the threshold.

Why does the State Pension increase matter?

The triple lock ensures that pension incomes keep pace with the cost of living or with rising wages, whichever is higher. This mechanism protects the purchasing power of the State Pension over time, which is especially important during periods of high inflation. For millions of retirees, the State Pension forms a significant portion, or the entirety, of their regular income.

The 2025/26 increase of 8.5% was unusually large, driven by post-pandemic wage growth. The 2026/27 increase of 4.8% is more moderate but still provides a real-terms uplift above the current inflation trend. The DWP noted that cumulative real-terms increases since the start of the current Parliament amount to up to £395 per pensioner.

There are also fiscal implications. The Office for Budget Responsibility projects that triple lock costs will be three times higher by the end of the decade than originally forecast, reaching approximately £15.5 billion annually by 2030. These costs are funded through National Insurance contributions and general taxation, making the sustainability of the triple lock a recurring topic in policy debates.

Where can I find official State Pension information?

The primary source for State Pension rates, eligibility, and forecasts is the official GOV.UK website. The Department for Work and Pensions publishes press releases and guidance, while the House of Commons Library provides independent research briefings. Consumer-focused sites such as MoneySavingExpert offer explanatory articles.

“The State Pension is set to go up by 4.8% from April 2026 under what’s known as the ‘triple lock’ guarantee.”

MoneySavingExpert, 16 September 2025

“Over 12 million pensioners to receive £575 State Pension boost.”

GOV.UK press release, 4 April 2026

“The basic and new State Pension will be uprated by 4.8% from April 2026.”

House of Commons Library Research Briefing, 1 December 2025

What should pensioners know about the State Pension increase?

The 4.8% increase for 2026/27 is now in payment and requires no action. Pensioners on the full new State Pension receive £241.30 per week, while those on the basic State Pension receive £184.90 per week. The triple lock remains the governing mechanism, and the next increase, expected in April 2027, will depend on economic data released in September 2026. For personalised information, the government’s online service allows individuals to check their own State Pension forecast and National Insurance record.

To make the most of your entitlement, see our detailed guide: State Pension Payment Boost – Maximise Your 2026 Entitlement. For related public sector pay information, visit NHS Pay Bands 2024/25 – Full Guide to Agenda for Change Salaries.

Frequently asked questions

What is the state pension age in 2025?

The state pension age is 66 for both men and women. It is scheduled to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 for those born after 5 April 1960.

Do I get the state pension increase if I deferred my pension?

Yes, deferred pensions are also uprated. However, if you have already taken your pension, the increase applies to the amount you currently receive.

Is the state pension increase taxable?

Yes. State Pension income is subject to income tax if your total income exceeds the personal allowance of £12,570 in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

How does the state pension increase affect Pension Credit?

Pension Credit rates are also uprated by 4.8%. The increase may reduce the savings credit element for some, but the state pension rise is generally fully passed on.

Will there be a state pension increase in October 2025?

No. State pension changes are effective only from April each year. There is no October uprating.

What is the difference between old and new State Pension increases?

Both are uprated by the same triple lock percentage, but the base amounts differ. In 2026/27, the new State Pension is £241.30 per week compared to £184.90 for the basic State Pension.

Do I qualify for the full new State Pension?

You need at least 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions to receive the full new State Pension of £241.30 per week. Fewer years result in a reduced amount.

What is a protected payment?

If you would have received more under the old State Pension rules before April 2016, you get a protected payment on top of the flat-rate amount. This payment rises with CPI, not the full triple lock.

How do I check my State Pension forecast?

You can check your forecast online at GOV.UK using the Check Your State Pension service. You will need a Government Gateway user ID and password.

What happens if the triple lock is suspended again?

The triple lock was suspended for 2022/23 during the cost-of-living crisis. Any future suspension would require a government decision and likely an announcement in the Budget or a separate statement.

External sources: GOV.UK – Proposed benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 | MoneySavingExpert – State Pension to rise by 4.8% | House of Commons Library – Benefits Uprating 2026/27 | GOV.UK – Over 12 million pensioners to receive £575 State Pension boost | The People’s Pension – Understanding the State Pension