The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) raised the State Pension by 4.8% for the 2026/27 tax year, in line with average wage growth – the highest of the three measures used under the triple lock.
The increase, which took effect on April 6, means the basic State Pension is now worth up to £184.90 per week, up from £176.45. Because the pension is paid every four weeks, those entitled to the full rate receive up to £739.60 in each four-week payment period.
How the triple lock works
The triple lock is a government guarantee that the State Pension rises each April by the highest of three measures: the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rate for the previous September, average wage growth between May and July of the previous year, or 2.5%. For 2026/27, average wage growth of 4.8% was the highest, so both the basic and new State Pensions increased by that rate.
Over a full year, the 4.8% rise amounts to a maximum of £9,614.80 in basic State Pension payments, up from £9,175.40, giving eligible pensioners an extra £439.40 annually.
What the Secretary of State said
Confirming the rates 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.”
Who receives the full amount
The full basic State Pension depends on a person’s National Insurance record. For men, 30 qualifying years are usually needed if born between 1945 and 1951, or 44 qualifying years if born before 1945. For women, the requirement is 30 qualifying years if born between 1950 and 1953, or 39 qualifying years if born before 1950.
Pensioners with fewer qualifying years will receive less than £739.60 every four weeks during the 2026/27 tax year.
When August payments are made
The day a State Pension payment is issued depends on the last two digits of the pensioner’s National Insurance number. In August, some payments may be affected by the late summer bank holiday on August 31. Pensioners expecting a payment on that date will instead be paid three days early, on Friday, August 28.
The DWP explained: “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.”
