Around 453,000 older people will not get new State Pension payments during the 2026/27 financial year.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that the annual State Pension uprating will be determined by the earnings growth measure of the Triple Lock, which is 4.8 per cent (including bonuses) while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate for September came in at 3.8 per cent.
Under the Triple Lock, State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest of average annual earnings growth from May to July (4.8%), CPI in the year to September (3.8%) or 2.5 per cent. The September CPI figure of 3.8 per cent was published on October 22.
However, while millions of pensioners across Great Britain – including over one million living in Scotland – can look forward to the payment rise in April next year, nearly half a million people over State Pension age will not be due the increase.
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An estimated 453,000 pensioners are living in a country which does not have a reciprocal agreement with the UK Government resulting in them not receiving the annual State Pension uprating. This is despite having paid the necessary amount of National Insurance Contributions to receive the state Pension.
Despite fierce campaigning by the ‘End Frozen Pensions’ campaign – which includes an online petition signed by thousands of supporters, a visit to Parliament by 100-year-old Second World War veteran Anne Puckridge, and persistent pleas to the UK Government to review the policy – many expats are receiving a significantly smaller State Pension than those resident in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Campaigners had hoped the appointment of former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, as Canadian prime minister earlier this year, would open a dialogue with the UK Government about the issue which affects over 100,000 expats resident in Canada.
The State Pension is frozen at the point of emigration for people mostly living in Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia. Retirees living in the USA or EU countries are eligible for the same considerations related to their State Pension had they remained in the UK.
Many of the affected pensioners (49%) are receiving £65 per week or less with an estimated 86 per cent of all expats not being told their State Pension would be frozen. Campaigners say that some pensioners are receiving as little as £20.00 a week.
You can find out more information about the End Frozen Pensions Campaign on their website.
Someone on the full New State Pension currently receives £230.25 per week, or £921 every four-week pay period. Those on the full Basic State Pension receive £176.45 each week, or £705.80 every four-week pay period.
State Pension uprating predictions for 2026/27
The Triple Lock is on track to be determined by the earnings growth element of 4.8 per cent (including bonuses). An uprating of 4.8 per cent on the current State Pension would see people receive the following amounts.
Full New State PensionWeekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)Four-weekly pay period: £965.20Annual amount: £12,547Full Basic State PensionWeekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)Four-weekly pay period: £739.60Annual amount: £9,614
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will confirm the annual uprating at the Autumn Budget on November 26.
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