State Pension Increase April 2026
From April 2026, the full new State Pension increased to £230.25 per week, up from £221.20 in 2025/26. This represents an increase of £9.05 per week or £470.60 per year, taking the annual amount to £11,973. The increase was determined by the triple lock mechanism.
New State Pension Rates 2026/27
| State Pension Type | 2025/26 Weekly | 2026/27 Weekly | 2026/27 Annual | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full new State Pension | £221.20 | £230.25 | £11,973 | 4.1% |
| Full basic State Pension | £169.50 | £176.45 | £9,175 | 4.1% |
How the Triple Lock Works
The triple lock guarantees that the State Pension rises each year by the highest of:
- Average earnings growth (measured by the May-July average weekly earnings figure)
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation (measured by the September CPI figure)
- 2.5%
For April 2026, average earnings growth was the determining factor, delivering a 4.1% increase.
State Pension and Income Tax
The State Pension is taxable income, although it is paid gross (without tax deducted). With the Personal Allowance frozen at £12,570, the full new State Pension of £11,973 uses up nearly all of it. This means:
- If you have any other income (private pension, part-time work, savings interest above the savings allowance), you will likely pay income tax
- The gap between the full State Pension and the Personal Allowance is just £597 for 2026/27
- Many retirees are now paying tax on their total retirement income due to the frozen Personal Allowance
Who Gets the Full Amount?
To receive the full new State Pension of £230.25 per week, you need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions. You need a minimum of 10 qualifying years to receive any State Pension at all. If you have between 10 and 35 qualifying years, your State Pension is calculated proportionally.
Checking Your State Pension Forecast
You can check how much State Pension you are on track to receive by using the government's Check your State Pension forecast service at gov.uk. This shows:
- Your estimated weekly State Pension amount
- How many qualifying years you have
- When you will reach State Pension age
- Whether you can increase your State Pension by paying voluntary NI contributions
Voluntary NI Contributions
If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, you may be able to pay voluntary contributions (Class 3) to fill them. Currently, you can fill gaps going back to 2006/07 under an extended deadline. Each qualifying year adds approximately £6.58 per week (£342 per year) to your State Pension.
What the Increase Means for Your Retirement
While the £470.60 annual increase is welcome, the State Pension alone is unlikely to fund a comfortable retirement. The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association suggests a minimum retirement income of £14,400 per year for a single person. The State Pension provides £11,973, leaving a shortfall of £2,427 even at the minimum level.
For a moderate retirement (£31,300 per year), you need an additional £19,327 per year from private pensions, savings, and other income.