More than 18,800 people have signed an online petition proposing a new ‘universal’ State Pension linked to the National Living Wage.
The UK Government has said there are “no plans to make the State Pension available from the age of 60” or for payments to rise to £586 each week, in response to proposals put forward in an online petition. More than 18,800 people from across the UK have shown support for the petition, posted on the Petitions Parliament website.
Petition creator Denver Johnson, proposes increasing payments to equal 48 hours each week at the National Living Wage rate of £12.21 per hour. Such an uplift would provide over 12 million people currently on the State Pension – and those over 60 – with £2344 every four-week payment period, some £30,476 each year.
This uplift would also be applied to some 453,000 retirees 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.
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In a written response to the petition, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said: “The Government is committed to supporting current and future generations of pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.
“Our commitment to the Triple Lock through this Parliament will benefit over 12 million pensioners. From the end of this Parliament, spending on the State Pension as a result of our commitment to protect the Triple Lock is forecast to be around £31billion more a year, compared with 2024/25.”
The DWP went on to explain how its system of state, private, and workplace pensions provides the basis for security in retirement, highlighting how the New State Pension was introduced in 2016 to be a “simpler, clearer, sustainable foundation” for private saving, including workplace pensions supported through Automatic Enrolment.
DWP continued: “The Government also takes seriously the need to ensure future retirees have a decent standard of living. That is why the Government have recently launched the Pensions Commission to ensure our pensions system delivers this in the decades ahead.”
DWP also pointed out that supplementary benefits such as Pension Credit can help pensioner households on a low income. The means-tested benefit also unlocks additional support including help with housing and heating costs, Council Tax and free TV licences for over-75s.
Winter Fuel Payments will also be issued to pensioners over 66 with an income at, or below £35,00. These will be issued over November and December, with letters advising of payment amounts going out from this month.
DWP added: “Pensioners with a long-term health condition or disability may also be eligible for additional-costs disability benefits. In England and Wales these are Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment.
“In Scotland, where this is a devolved matter, they are the Scottish Government’s Pension Age Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment and, from March 2025, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.”
Addressing the proposals in the petition, the DWP said: “There are no plans to bring State Pension age back down to 60.
“Increases to State Pension age have been in legislation since the Pensions Act 1995 and there have since been a number of legislated increases to State Pension age introduced under successive Governments. As longevity has increased and our society aged, State Pension age rises have maintained fairness between generations and protected the public finances.”
You can read the full response on the Petitions Parliament website. At 100,000 signatures of support, the proposals would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament.
Annual State Pension uprating
Under the Triple Lock, State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest of average annual earnings growth from May to July, Consumer Price Index inflation rate (CPI) in the year to September or 2.5 per cent.
The Triple Lock is currently on track to be determined by the earnings growth element of 4.7 per cent (including bonuses). The CPI for September will be published on October 22 and is forecast to be 4 per cent.
An uprating of 4.7 per cent on the current State Pension would see people receive the following amounts.
Full New State Pension
- Weekly: £241.05 (from £230.25)
- Four-weekly pay period: £964.20
- Annual amount: £12,534
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly: £184.75 (from £176.45)
- Four-weekly pay period: £739
- Annual amount: £9,607
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will confirm the annual uprating for the state Pension and benefits at the Autumn Budget on November 26.
