What is the state pension triple lock, and how much is the state pension going up?

The government has confirmed that the new full state pension will rise by £472 a year from April 2025.

The increase is pegged to wages, which have risen by 4.1%.

Under an arrangement called the "triple lock", the state pension goes up each year by either 2.5%, inflation, or earnings growth - whichever is the highest figure.

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 contributions.

In April 2024, the link to earnings meant the state pension went up by 8.5%, making it worth:

• £221.20 a week for the full, new flat-rate state pension (for those who reached state pension age after April 2016)
• £169.50 a week for the full, old basic state pension (for those who reached state pension age before April 2016)

In April 2025, the earnings link means the state pension will increase by 4.1%, making it worth:

• £230.25 a week for the full, new flat-rate state pension (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 (for those who reached state pension age before April 2016) - a rise of £363 a year

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

There was speculation in the run-up to the 2023 Budget that the second increase would be brought forward, potentially to the late 2030s.

However, in March 2023, the previous Conservative government said it had no plans to change the timetable.

The International Longevity Centre, the UK's specialist think tank which tracks the impact of growing life expectancy and falling birth rates, argues that the UK will have to increase the state pension age to 71 by 2050, to keep the cost sustainable.

The state pension cost £110.5bn in 2022-2023, just under half the total amount the government spends on benefits.

The Office for Budget Responsibility expected this to grow to £124bn for 2023-2024.

• Check your state pension age
• Check your state pension forecast

Depending on their overall income, those above retirement age may also be entitled to pension credit in addition to the basic state pension.

Since April 2024, pension credit tops up weekly income to:

• £218.15 if you are single
• £332.95 if you have a partner

From April 2025, pension credit will also increase 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.

• Check if you can get pension credit

In July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that from autumn 2024, anyone not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits would no longer get 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 are affected.

Several charities and MPs criticised the policy, over fears that hundreds of thousands of people on a relatively small income will miss out because they do not claim pension credit.

In September, 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 are entitled.

The Scottish government has also said it will end pensioners' universal entitlement to Winter Heating Payment.

• How much is the winter fuel payment and how can I still claim it?
• Will the pensions increase make up for the loss of winter fuel payments?