The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to calls to increase the State Pension to £14,500 a year, confirming that the Government has no plans to do so.
The full New State Pension is currently £12,547.60 a year, or £241.30 a week, for 2026/27. Campaigners argue this is not enough to cover a basic standard of living.
Petition calls for pension to match minimum wage
A petition, created by Richard Sobey MBE and backed by 23,000 signatures, called for the State Pension to rise to at least £14,500 a year, in line with the National Minimum Wage for under-18s based on a 35-hour workweek. The petition said it is unfair for retirees who have paid National Insurance and taxes throughout their working lives to receive less than the minimum wage for the youngest demographic of workers.
The petition reads: "The National Living Wage age for 21+ is now £23,132 (35-hour week; 52-week year). Even the National Minimum Wage for under-18s is £14,560 (same basis)."
It continues: "My full New State Pension is only £12,564 after working for a lifetime. I believe for 65+ a minimum UK standard of living is £14,500 and the State Pension should match this."
DWP responds to petition
The DWP issued its response after the petition achieved 10,000 names in support. The department said: "The Government has no plans to make the State Pension equal the National Minimum Wage for under 18s."
The DWP added: "The Government is committed to supporting current and future generations of pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. In 2026/27 the Government will spend over £186 billion directly on the State Pension and benefits for pensioners in Great Britain. The full rate of the new State Pension has risen to £241.30 per week, which is over £12,500 per year, following an increase in line with average earnings."
The department continued: "The Government takes seriously the need to ensure pensioners – including future retirees – have a decent standard of living. That is why the Government has recently launched the Pensions Commission to ensure our pensions system delivers this in the decades ahead."
The DWP also noted that, in addition to the State Pension, the government makes available supplementary benefits, including Pension Credit, which guarantees a minimum level of income for low-income pensioners. Pension Credit also passports pensioners to receive other benefits, such as help with council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.
