The new full state pension went up by £472 a year on 6 April.
The increase is linked to wages, which have risen by 4.1%.
Under an arrangement called the “triple lock”, the state pension goes up each year by the highest of 2.5%, inflation, or earnings growth.
The state pension is a payment made every four weeks by the government, to people who have reached the qualifying age and have paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions.
In April 2025, the earnings link meant the state pension increased by 4.1%, making it worth:
£230.25 a week for the full, new flat-rate state pension, external (for those who reached state pension age after April 2016) – a rise of £472 a year
£176.45 a week for the full, old basic state pension, external (for those who reached state pension age before April 2016) – a rise of £363 a year
In general, you need 35 years of qualifying contributions to get a full state pension.
Some people may have gaps in their NI record if, for example, they have lived abroad or taken time off to care for children.
You can make voluntary payments to boost your contribution history. From 6 April, you can only make payments for the previous six years
Check your state pension age, external
Check your state pension forecast and whether you can increase it, external
Under the triple lock system, the state pension increases each April in line with whichever of these three measures is highest:
inflation in the September of the previous year, using a measure called the Consumer Prices Index (CPI)
the average increase in total wages across the UK for May to June of the previous year
or 2.5%
The triple lock was introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2010.
It was designed to ensure the value of the state pension was not overtaken by the increase in the cost of living or the incomes of working people.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the Labour government will keep the triple lock until the end of the current Parliament.
The big questions on the future of the triple lock
The fight over women’s state pensions
More than 12 million people currently receive the state pension.
Men and women born between 6 October, 1954 and 5 April, 1960 start receiving their pension at the age of 66.
But for people born after this date, the state pension age is increasing:
a gradual rise to 67 for those born on, or after, 5 April 1960
a gradual rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046 for those born on, or after, 5 April 1977
The International Longevity Centre, a think tank, argues that the UK will have to increase the state pension age to 71 by 2050,, external to keep the cost sustainable.
The state pension cost £124.1bn in 2023-2024, just under half the total amount the government spent on benefits.
Depending on their overall income, those above retirement age may also be entitled to pension credit, external in addition to the basic state pension.
From April 2025, pension credit also increased by 4.1% meaning it will top up weekly income to:
£227.10 if you are single – a rise of £465 a year
£346.60 if you have a partner – a rise of £710 a year
If your income is above the stated limits, you may still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability or care for someone.
Anyone who qualifies for pension credit may also be entitled to other financial support, including housing benefit, a reduction in council tax, help with heating costs and the warm home discount scheme, external.
Check if you can get pension credit, external
Since winter 2024/2025, only those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits are eligible for the winter fuel payment.
Previously, everyone in England and Wales born before 25 September 1957 was entitled to the payment, which is worth either £200 or and £300, depending on your circumstances.
About 10 million people were affected.
Several charities and MPs criticised the policy over fears that hundreds of thousands of people on a relatively small income would miss out because they do not claim pension credit
In September 2024, the government’s own analysis suggested around 780,000 pensioners in England and Wales would lose their winter fuel payment as a result of not claiming benefits to which they were entitled.
The Scottish government also said it will end pensioners’ universal entitlement to Winter Heating Payment, external.
How much is the winter fuel payment and who can still get it?
Will the pensions increase make up for the loss of winter fuel payments?