Older state pensioners in the UK can receive up to £739.60 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in November, following the triple lock increase applied earlier this year.
The State Pension rises at the start of each new tax year, with new rates determined by the triple lock. This is a UK government guarantee that the State Pension will increase every April by whichever is the highest of the consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation (measured for September the year before), average wage growth between May and July of the previous year, or 2.5%.
Triple Lock Increase for 2026-27
In the 2026 to 2027 tax year, both the basic and new State Pension increased in line with average wage growth at 4.8%, as this was the highest of the three metrics. The DWP confirmed the triple lock boost gives older pensioners on the basic State Pension approximately £439.40 extra per year, based on a full National Insurance record.
The new rates came into effect on April 6, and pensioners will continue to receive these higher State Pension payments in November and every month that follows until next April.
Payment amounts and eligibility
For older state pensioners claiming the basic State Pension, weekly payments are worth a maximum of £184.90 per week in the 2026 to 2027 tax year. As the State Pension is paid every four weeks, those eligible for the full amount can get up to £739.60 from the DWP in each four-week payment period.
Over a full year, the 4.8% increase amounts to a maximum of £9,614.80 in basic State Pension payments, up from £9,175.40 previously, giving those eligible for the full rate an extra £439.40 annually.
To receive this, pensioners need a certain number of qualifying years of National Insurance. For a man, this is usually 30 qualifying years if born between 1945 and 1951, or 44 qualifying years if born before 1945. For women, it is 30 qualifying years if born between 1950 and 1953, or 39 qualifying years if born before 1950. Those with fewer than the full number of qualifying National Insurance years will receive less than £739.60 every four weeks in the 2026 to 2027 tax year.
Official confirmation and payment dates
Confirming the new rates at the end of last year, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden said: “I am pleased to announce that the basic and new State Pensions will be increased by 4.8%, in line with the increase in average weekly earnings in the year to May-July 2025.
“This delivers on our commitment to the Triple Lock, increasing 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 £575. The full annual rate of the basic State Pension will increase by around £440.”
Pensioners can determine when the DWP will issue their State Pension payment in November by checking their National Insurance number, as the last two digits correspond to the day of the week that payments are issued. Normal payment dates can sometimes be disrupted due to bank holidays, but as there are none scheduled for September, pensioners can expect to receive their State Pension on their usual date.
The DWP said: “You’ll be asked when you want to start getting your State Pension when you claim. Your first payment will be no later than 5 weeks after the date you choose. You’ll get a full payment every 4 weeks after that.
“You might get part of a payment before your first full payment. The letter confirming your State Pension payment will tell you what to expect.
“The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance number. You might be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday.”
