State Pension payments from April – check your new weekly rate now

The State Pension is typically paid every four weeks, meaning 13 payments throughout the year, with rates increasing from April 6.

14:03, 16 Feb 2026Updated 18:06, 16 Feb 2026

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Millions of older people will see their State Pension rise from April after the UK Government confirmed new payment rates for the 2026/27 financial year. The updated rates have been laid before Parliament and will take effect from April 6.

Under the Triple Lock 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 (4.8%), CPI inflation rate in the year to September (3.8%), or 2.5 per cent.

Because earnings growth was highest, State Pensions will rise by 4.8 per cent in April. Additional State Pension elements and deferred State Pensions increase in line with September’s CPI figure of 3.8 per cent.

READ MORE: Full New State Pension at risk for three groups – check if you are affectedREAD MORE: DWP urged to change State Pension rules for people not due annual uprating in April

The increase will see those on the full New State Pension receive £241.30 per week, while those on the maximum Basic State Pension would receive £184.90 per week.

It’s important to remember that the amount of State Pension someone receives depends on their National Insurance contributions.

To receive the full New State Pension you need around 35 years’ worth, but this may differ if you were ‘contracted out’.

State Pension payments 2026/27

Full New State Pension

Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)Four-weekly pay period: £965.20Annual amount: £12,547

Full Basic State Pension

Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)Four-weekly pay period: £739.60Annual amount: £9,614

Other State Pension rates

Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)Tax warning for pensioners

The full New State Pension will be worth £12,547 a year over the new financial year – an increase of around £574.

However, the rise leaves just £36 below the Personal Allowance threshold of £12,570.

This means pensioners with any additional income – such as a private pension or savings interest – could be pushed into paying income tax due to the continued freeze on the tax-free allowance.

In the Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the Personal Allowance will remain frozen at £12,570 until April 5, 2031.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said that from next year pensioners whose only income is the State Pension will not need to complete a Simple Self Assessment tax return if the increase takes them over the threshold.

Paying tax in retirement

Guidance on GOV.UK states: “You pay tax if your total annual income adds up to more than your Personal Allowance. Find out about your Personal Allowance and Income Tax rates.

Your total income could include:

the State Pension you get – Basic or New State PensionAdditional State Pensiona private pension (workplace or personal) – you can take some of this tax-freeearnings from employment or self-employmentany taxable benefits you getany other income, such as money from investments, property or savingsCheck if you have to pay tax on your pension

Before you can check, you will need to know:

if you have a State Pension or a private pensionhow much State Pension and private pension income you will get this tax year (April 6 to April 5)the amount of any other taxable income you’ll get this tax year (for example, from employment or state benefits)

You cannot use this tool if you get:

any foreign incomeMarriage AllowanceBlind Person’s Allowance

Use this online tool at GOV.UK to check if you have to pay tax on your pension. The full guide to tax when you get a pension can be found on GOV.UK here.

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