The basic state pension is a regular payment from the government you can get if you’ve paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions.
State pensioners on basic rate set to be handed bumper £9,615 from DWP
Older state pensioners will receive £9,615 a year from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) under a Triple Lock change. As it stands, the basic state pension is a regular payment from the government you can get if you’ve paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions.
For the 2025/26 tax year, the full rate is £176.45 a week, though this can be less if you have fewer than 30 qualifying years of NI contributions. You’ll need a certain number of qualifying years to get the full amount, and you can check your eligibility and estimated pension amount online.
But from April, it will rise to £9,615 – up £440 – thanks to the Triple Lock boost.
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Labour Party Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the hike last month. Announcing the state pension increase, Ms Reeves said: “Whether it’s our commitment to the triple lock or to rebuilding our NHS to cut waiting lists, we’re supporting pensioners to give them the security in retirement they deserve.
“At the Budget this week, I will set out how we will take the fair choices to deliver on the country’s priorities to cut NHS waiting lists, cut national debt and cut the cost of living.”
The Chancellor made the change as part of her Autumn Budget. Specialists at Spencer Churchill Claims Advice welcomed the support for retirees but warned the increase places heavier pressure on the public finances.
A spokesperson said: “This increase of up to £550 a year will be very welcome for millions of pensioners who are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with rising living costs.
“However, the policy is becoming significantly more expensive for the Government every year. The triple lock now costs far more than originally forecast which increases the strain on an already tight Budget.”
The spokesperson added: “Analysis from the Office for Budget Responsibility has highlighted that the triple lock is now costing around three times more than expected when it was introduced.
“Pensioners will benefit immediately but the wider question is how these increases will be funded in the long term without shifting the financial burden onto working households.”