The ‘Give State Pension to all at 60 and increase it to equal 48 hours at Living Wage’ petition has now surpassed the signature threshold, and most likely will receive a response from the DWP
An online petition demanding the UK Government to increase weekly State Pension payments to £586 for every person over 60, including Britons living abroad in retirement, has garnered more than 10,500 signatures. The campaign has now crossed the signature threshold, which entitles it to a written response, most likely from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The petition, initiated by Denver Johnson, suggests raising payments to match 48 hours each week at the National Living Wage rate of £12.21 per hour. This hike would provide 13 million people currently receiving the State Pension – and those over 60 – with £2,344 every four-week payment period, amounting to £30,476 annually.
This increase would also benefit some 453,000 pensioners whose State Pension has been frozen at the point of emigration because the country they now live in does not have a reciprocal agreement with the UK Government, as reported by the Daily Record.
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The ‘Give State Pension to all at 60 and increase it to equal 48 hours at Living Wage’ petition is published on the petitions-parliament website and states: “We want the Government to make the State Pension available from the age of 60 and increase this to equal 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage.”
The petition further added: “Hence, from April 2025, a universal State Pension should be £586.08 per week or about £30,476.16 per year as a right to all, including expatriates, age 60 and above.”
“We think that Government policy seems intent on the State Pension being a benefit not paid to all, while ever increasing the age of entitlement. We want reforms to the State Pension, so that it is available to all, including expatriates, from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage, for security.”
Should the petition garner 100,000 signatures of support, the Petitions Committee will consider it for parliamentary debate, reports the Express.
Annual State Pension increases
Through the Triple Lock system, State Pensions increase annually based on whichever proves the highest amongst average yearly earnings growth from May to July, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in the year to September, or 2.5 per cent.
Both the New and Basic State Pension increased by 4.7 per cent in April, meaning recipients of the full New State Pension currently receive £230.25 weekly, or £921 every four-week payment period.
Full Basic State Pension recipients get £176.45 weekly, or £705.80 every four-week payment period.
State Pension increase forecasts for 2026/27
The Triple Lock is currently set to be determined by the earnings growth element which presently stands at 5.2 per cent (excluding bonuses).
However, this figure could increase or decrease and isn’t the final measure that will determine the uprating level. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July was recorded at 3.8 per cent, with the August figure set to be released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 16 September.
If the current State Pension were to increase by 5.2 per cent, individuals would receive the following amounts.
Full New State Pension
- Weekly: £242.90
- Four-weekly pay period: £971.60
- Annual amount: £12,630.80
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly: £186.25
- Four-weekly pay period: £744.60
- Annual amount: £9,679.80
State Pension and tax
Earlier this year, the Labour Government announced that the Personal Allowance will stay frozen at £12,570 until April 2028. If the New and Basic State Pension increased by the lower measure of the Triple Lock (2.5%), it would witness the full New State Pension get over the income tax threshold by nearly £79 in the 2027/28 financial year (£12,578.80).
While the amount of State Pension to be taxed may seem small – tax is only paid on the amount over the Personal Allowance – older people with different income streams could see themselves having to contribute more cash to pay a tax bill – if it’s not automatically taken from private or workplace pensions through PAYE.
Not to forget, that figure is based on the lower measure of the Triple Lock. The current projections show more pensioners that could be thrown into the retirement tax net sooner, particularly, if they have additional income through a private or workplace pension.
What is taxed
The GOV.UK website offers advice, stating: “You pay tax if your total annual income adds up to more than your Personal Allowance. Find out about your Personal Allowance and Income Tax rates. Your total income could include: Check if you have to pay tax on your pension.
“Before you can check, you will need to know: You cannot use this tool if you get: Use this online tool at GOV.UK to check if you have to pay tax on your pension. The full guide to tax when you get a pension can be found on GOV.UK here.”
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