UK State pensioners will get a boost in their pensions from now on as the pension amount is increased by 4.1% under the Triple-lock rules. The new State pension recipients are now closer to the tax threshold as a result of this increase.
The UK’s triple lock system increases the state pension annually, depending on either the minimum 2.5% boost rate or average wage growth and CPI inflation. With this system, the pensioners can experience £470 extra pension income in 2025/26.
With the increase in the State pension, the government also announced the increase in national minimum wages, working age benefits that will benefit many working class of the UK. Pensioners can check the State Pension forecast on the official UK government website to see their payment dates, payout, and other details.
| Who qualifies? | Reaches state pension age and has qualifying years of NI |
| State Pension age | 66 |
| State Pension 2025 boost | 4.1% |
| New State Pension amount | £230.25 per week |
| Basic State Pension amount | £169.50 per week |
| Payment Schedule | After four weeks |
| Official Website | https://www.gov.uk/browse/working/state-pension |
State Pension Amount
The state pension for UK people depends on their National Insurance record, and the payout may differ based on the record. However, after the UK state pension boost for 2025, pensioners can determine their new payment based on the following increased rates for 2025/26:
- New State Pension:
- From the previous rates of £221.20 in 2024, the New State Pension’s full weekly rate is hiked to £230.25, whereas the yearly amount reaches £11,973.
- Old State Pension:
- The Category A or B basic pension of the DWP increases to £176.45 a week from £169.50 a week. The annual old state pension for 2025/26 will be £9,175.
- The Old State pension for Category B (spouse or civil partner insurance) or non-contributory Category C or D is boosted to £105.70 from £101.55.
- The recipients of additional pension (inherited or own), the pension income is increased to £222.10 from the 2024/25 rate of £218.39.
State pension eligibility
The Department for Work and Pensions offers the State Pension in two categories. The pensioners wondering what pension they will receive can check the eligibility for both pensions below:
- State Pension Age
- New Pension: The UK resident who has reached the State Pension age, for women with a birth date on or after 06 April 1953, whereas for men with a birth date on or after 06 April 1951.
- Old State Pension: People with a birth date before the new pension criteria dates will be eligible for the old state pension.
- National Insurance Qualifying years:
- The residents must have a National Insurance qualifying years record for the new pension, meaning they have made contributions to the National Insurance while working, paid voluntarily, or received National Insurance credits.
- For the old state pension, the National Insurance qualifying years depend on their birth date, such as:
- Man: Birth Year between 1945 and 1951, 1 NI qualifying year, whereas for birth years before 1945, the NI qualifying year requirement is 11.
- Woman: Birth Year between 1950 and 1955, 01 NI qualifying year requirements, whereas for birth years before 1950, the NI qualifying year requirement is 10.
- Civil partnership/ Spouse: You may inherit your spouse’s or civil partner’s pension in the event of their death.
When to expect?
The State Pensioners receive their payment based on the first payment they receive from the DWP after their state pension application is approved. Though the payment date is hard to determine, the pensioners can check their pension payout day based on their National Insurance number’s last 2 digits in the following manner:
| NI Number last 2 digits | Pay Day |
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
Important Note: If your State pension is delayed, the authority will ask you when to commence your state pension again, and your payment date may change accordingly.
How to claim?
The UK retirees who still haven’t claimed the State pension can apply for it now in various ways, such as online, by phone, or by post. But first of all, note down what you will need to apply for the DWP state pension:
- Bank or Building Society details (as per your preference)
- Invitation letter Code from the letter you received from DWP (if you don’t have any, you can request DWP in the next 3 months)
- Recent civil partnership, marriage, or divorce date
- Date when you stayed or worked abroad.
If you wish to apply online for the DWP State Pension, follow the steps below and complete the application:
- Go to the UK government State Pension page mentioned in the table above.
- Scroll down till the How to claim section, and click “Get your State Pension” or “State pension for abroad retirees” as per your situation.
- Next, click the Start Now tab to access the application form for the State pension.
- Next, enter the valid details on the application and ensure you have attached the required documents with the application before submitting it.
The DWP state pension is increased for pensioners from this month; hence, do check your bank account or other accounts to see if you received the increased payment or not.