From April 2027, the basic state pension and the new state pension will both increase by 3.9% in line with the triple lock, but not every state pension payment will receive the same boost. Several pension-age benefits, including Pension Credit, Additional Pension, the Winter Fuel Payment and the Christmas bonus, are not increased by the triple lock.
Which Payments Rise by 3.9%
The triple lock automatically increases pension payments by whichever is the highest of three metrics: inflation, wage growth or a flat 2.5%. This year, wage growth is the highest, at 3.9%, so the basic state pension for older pensioners will rise to roughly £192.10 per week for a pensioner with a full National Insurance record, and the new state pension will rise to approximately £250.70 per week. Individual circumstances and work records will change personal amounts per week.
Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden confirmed in Parliament: "I am pleased to announce that the basic and full rate of the new state pensions will be increased by 3.9%, in line with the increase in average weekly earnings in the year to May-July 2026.
"This delivers on our triple lock commitment throughout this Parliament to increase these rates in line with the highest of growth in prices, growth in earnings or 2.5%. From April, the full annual rate of the new state pension will increase by around £490. The full annual rate of the basic state pension will increase by around £375."
Payments Not Covered by the Triple Lock
Pension Credit is a means-tested pension age benefit given to those with a low income. It can bridge the gap between an older state pensioner and a new state pensioner, as it can increase the pension payment to almost the same level, assuming you have no other qualifying income over the threshold which would reduce your payments. Pension Credit is increased in line with wage growth, not triple locked. However, by coincidence, wage growth is the highest metric anyway, so the rise will be the same. Pension Credit will pay out a maximum of £247.30 per week, almost the same level as a full new state pension.
Additional Pension (AP) covers various types of now-defunct schemes which used to be operated by DWP in collaboration with employers. The ‘opt in’ scheme allowed a person to ‘contract out’ some salary in exchange for an additional pension payout in retirement. It also covers various forms of the scheme including SERPs and Second State Pension, but these were ended after 2002 and only continue to pay out to those who were enrolled before then. These AP payments will not be increased in line with the triple lock, instead they will rise only by 3.5%.
Mr McFadden added: "Other state pension and benefit rates covered by my statutory review will be increased by 3.5%, in line with the increase in the consumer prices index in the year to September 2026."
Benefits That Remain Unchanged
Another pension age benefit not increasing is the Winter Fuel Payment. This will remain at £150 to £300 depending on circumstances. For a single state pensioner, it pays £200 unless you’re over 80, when it goes up to £300. These amounts are not triple locked and are not increased each year. Despite energy bills increasing year-on-year, and inflation, the amounts remain the same.
This is also true of several other pension age benefits, including the £10 Christmas bonus, which has never been increased since its inception more than 30 years ago.
