In April 2026, the state pension will rise by approximately 4.7%, boosting the new state pension to £12,534 annually. However, this increase won’t apply equally to all pensioners.
The full new state pension will increase from the current £230.25 per week to £241.05 per week starting in April. Meanwhile, those receiving the basic state pension will see their payments increase from £176.45 to £184.75 per week.
This means the full new pension rises by £10.80 weekly, which totals an annual increase of £562. Yet, pensioners relying on the basic state pension will receive around £56 less per week compared to the full new state pension rate from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
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The state pension increase follows the triple lock system, which guarantees an annual rise based on the highest of these three figures: average wage growth between May and July (including bonuses), September’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation, or a minimum 2.5%. This year, wage growth stands at 4.8%, CPI inflation at 3.8%, so the pension will rise by the 4.8% wage growth figure.
Currently, about 36% of state pensioners—equivalent to 4.7 million people—receive the new state pension. This applies to those who reached state pension age after April 2016.
To be eligible for the full new state pension, individuals need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions. Those with at least 10 qualifying years will receive a portion of the pension. If there are gaps in a person’s National Insurance record, they may be able to make voluntary contributions to increase their entitlement.
As The People’s Pension highlights, although the state pension will increase, it often isn’t enough to ensure a comfortable retirement on its own. Many people supplement their state pension with workplace or personal pension savings. Increasing contributions to these pensions can boost retirement income, with the added benefit of government tax relief.