The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show 9.7 million people on the Basic State Pension currently receive up to £169.50 each week, equivalent to £678 every four-week payment period. State Pensions and benefit payments rise each year as part of the DWP’s annual uprating exercise.
The uplift is determined using the Triple Lock policy. Under the measure, the New and Basic State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest between the average annual earnings growth from May to July (4.1%), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate in the year to September (1.7%), or 2.5 per cent.
Following the confirmation of the September CPI figure of 1.7 per cent by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last week, the earnings growth figure of 4.1 per cent is the highest measure of the Triple Lock. This means those on the full Basic State Pension will see weekly payments rise from £169.50 to £176.45, or £705.80 every four-week payment period. Annual payments will rise to £9,175.40 over the 2025/26 financial year.
Similarly, someone on the full New State Pension will see payments rise from £221.20 to £230.30 each week, some £921.20 every four-week pay period. This will see annual payments rise from £11,502 to £11,975.60 over the 2025/26 financial year.
It’s important to be aware that any additional State Pension elements and deferred State Pensions rise each year with the September CPI figure, which is 1.7 per cent.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will confirm the State Pension and benefits uprating for 2025/26 during the Autumn Budget on October 30. However, the Labour Government has made it clear that the Triple Lock will be honoured for the next five years.
While these increases will be welcomed by pensioners across the country, the annual payments also push more older people towards the personal tax aAllowance of £12,570.
State Pension payments 2025/26
The calculations below are based on the latest ONS figures using the 4.1 per cent earnings growth as the multiplier. It’s important to be aware these figures are based on someone in receipt of the full payment.
Full New State Pension
- Weekly payment: £230.30 (from £221.20)
- Four-weekly payment: £921.20 (from £884.80)
- Annual amount: £11,975 (from £11,502)
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly payment: £176.45 (from £169.50)
- Four-weekly payment: £705.80 (from £678)
- Annual amount: £9,175 (from £8,814)
Recent analysis released by Royal London revealed only around half of people receiving the New State Pension last year were getting the full weekly amount – and around 150,000 were on less than £100 per week.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues letters to all 12.7m State Pensioners telling them their new payment rates – this is usually issued at the start of the new year.