Older state pensioners who are not receiving as large an increase to their state pension payments this year can instead benefit from another Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) boost. Younger, post-2016 state pensioners were given an extra £574.60 per year thanks to the triple lock from April onwards, while older state pensioners only see their payments increased by a maximum of £439.40. However, Pension Credit has also been increased, and older state pensioners with no other income could claim the full Pension Credit increase of £556 per year on top of their basic state pension payments, resulting in a total uplift of £1,006 per year.
Triple Lock Confirmed
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the government is maintaining the triple lock boost, which will increase state pension payouts by 4.8% based on wage growth figures for this year, effective from April and for the foreseeable future. The triple lock, confirmed to remain in place until at least after the next election, ensures state pension payments automatically increase each April by one of three metrics: wage growth, inflation, or 2.5%, whichever is highest.
Current Payment Rates
Older state pensioners now receive £184.90 per week, while new state pensioners can get £241.30 per week, both maximum figures for those with a full National Insurance record. Older state pensioners are those who became eligible for their state pension before April 2016. The full £184.90 is only given to those with a complete National Insurance record; those with gaps will receive less.
Pension Credit Increase
Eligible older pensioners, even those with a full National Insurance record, can use Pension Credit to top up their weekly payments to almost the same level as new state pensioners. Pension Credit has also increased by 4.8%, taking effect from April 2026. Unlike the triple lock, Pension Credit rises in line with wage growth, which this year matches the triple lock metric.
To qualify for Pension Credit, you must have no other income. If you have savings over £10,000, your Pension Credit payment is reduced by £1 for every £500 you have above that threshold.
These figures do not include Additional Pension payments related to now-defunct employer pension schemes like SERPS or Second State Pension, which are still paid to basic state pensioners but no longer available to new state pensioners.
