State Pension 2026/27: the changes many pensioners haven’t heard about

The headline rise

Triple Lock: a 4.8% increase from April 2026

Who it affects: Everyone receiving the basic or new State Pension.

Under the Triple Lock, the State Pension rises each April by the highest of average earnings growth, inflation, or 2.5%. For 2026/27 the earnings figure won, so payments go up by 4.8% from 6 April 2026.

The 4.8% figure comes from the growth in average weekly earnings over May–July 2025, which was higher than inflation and the 2.5% floor. The increase applies from the start of the 2026/27 tax year.

The exact amount you receive still depends on your National Insurance record. The figures below are illustrative weekly rates before any tax.

Illustrative figures only, shown before any tax. Your actual amount depends on your individual circumstances and National Insurance record. [1]

Often missed

Pension Credit — and what it can unlock

Who it affects: Pensioners on a lower income — many who are eligible never claim it.

Pension Credit tops up the income of pensioners on a lower income. It also rises by 4.8%, and receiving it can open the door to other help.

From April 2026, the Pension Credit "standard minimum guarantee" rises to about £238.00 a week for a single person and £363.25 a week for a couple. The average award is worth roughly £4,300 a year.

Beyond the money itself, qualifying for Pension Credit can act as a gateway to other support — for example help with rent (Housing Benefit), help with Council Tax, and a free TV licence for people aged 75 or over. The only way to know is to check your own eligibility.

Illustrative guarantee levels for 2026/27. Eligibility and the amount depend on your income, savings and circumstances. Check with the DWP or MoneyHelper. [3]

The quiet squeeze

Tax and the frozen Personal Allowance

Who it affects: Pensioners whose total income is near or above £12,570 a year.

The tax-free Personal Allowance is frozen at £12,570 until 2030/31. As pensions rise, more pensioners are drawn into paying Income Tax — sometimes called "fiscal drag".

Income Tax is charged on your total taxable income above the Personal Allowance, not on the State Pension alone. Because the allowance is held at £12,570 while pensions and other income rise, the gap narrows and more people cross the threshold over time.

This is information only — not tax advice. If you are unsure whether you need to pay tax, or how it is collected, check the official guidance on GOV.UK or speak to HMRC.

Help with bills

Energy support and the Warm Home Discount

Who it affects: Pensioners and lower-income households, especially those on Pension Credit.

Typical household energy bills are expected to fall by around £150 a year from April 2026, alongside a wider Warm Home Discount that gives eligible households a one-off reduction.

The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off rebate on electricity bills for eligible households over the winter. Eligibility rules are set by the scheme each year, and people on Pension Credit Guarantee Credit are typically included.

Energy prices change with the regulator’s price cap. Always check the current rules and whether you need to apply or are paid automatically.

Worth checking

Your National Insurance record

Who it affects: People approaching State Pension age, or with gaps in their NI record.

Your State Pension amount is built from your National Insurance record. Some people can fill past gaps to increase what they get — but whether it is worth doing is personal.

You can check your State Pension forecast and your National Insurance record for free on GOV.UK. It shows any gap years and, where relevant, whether voluntary contributions are possible.

Topping up is not right for everyone and the deadlines and amounts change. This page does not tell you whether to do it — use the official GOV.UK service or the free MoneyHelper service to weigh it up for your situation.