State pensioners given £470 boost to savings from DWP | Personal Finance | Finance
State pensioners across the UK will get a £470 income boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this year.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in the autumn Budget last year that pension would be uprated by 4.1% in 2025, with Labour committing to the Triple Lock to protect pensioners in their retirement.
The 4.1% uprating will apply to both the basic and new State Pension in the 2025/26 tax year, with the new rates taking effect from April.
It means that more than 12 million pensioners will be £470 better off per year when the uplift kicks in – £275 more than if the State Pension was uprated by inflation at a lower rate of 1.7%, according to the government.
But pensioners should note that the amount of State Pension you get is dependent on your National Insurance record and if you get less than the full amount you might need more qualifying National Insurance years to boost your pension pot.
To get the full basic State Pension you usually need 30 qualifying years of National Insurance if you’re a man born between 1945 and 1951, or 44 qualifying years if you were born between 1945 and 1951. By comparison, women born between 1950 and 1953 usually need 30 qualifying years, while those born before 1950 need 39.
As for the new State Pension, if your National Insurance record started after April 2016 you’ll need 35 qualifying years to get the full rate.
The DWP has confirmed the exact amounts the basic and new State Pension will increase from April, giving retirees who get the full amount up to £9.05 extra per week. The new rates from April are:
New State Pension
Basic State Pension
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Category A or B basic pension – rising from £169.50 to £176.45 per week
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Category B (lower) basic pension – spouse or civil partner’s insurance – rising from £101.55 to £105.70 per week
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Category C or D – non-contributory – rising from £101.55 to £105.70 per week
Further details on Additional State Pension, Increments and Invalidity Allowance are set out on the government website.
The Pension Credit Standard Minimum Guarantee will also go up by 4.1% from April, rising from around £11,400 per year to £11,850 for a single pensioner. The new rates are:
Standard minimum guarantee
Additional amount for severe disability
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Single – rising from £81.50 to £82.90 per week
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Couple (one qualifies) – rising from £81.50 to £82.90 per week
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Couple (both qualify) – rising from £163.00 to 165.80 per week
Further details on State Pension rates from April 2025 is set out on the government website.
