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The 2026/27 State Pension Briefing

Your State Pension in 2026, answered in five questions

A plain-English look at the 4.8% rise, Pension Credit, tax, energy help and your National Insurance record — and who each change affects.

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From 6 April 2026, the State Pension rises and several benefits change with it. This briefing answers the five questions people ask most — what is changing, who it affects, and where to check the official details.

Important This briefing gives general information about the 2026/27 State Pension and pensioner benefits. It is not financial, tax or legal advice and is not a personal recommendation. For your own situation, contact the DWP, the government-backed MoneyHelper service, Citizens Advice, or a regulated financial adviser.
+4.8%[1] State Pension rise from April 2026
£241.30[2] a week — full new State Pension
~£4,300[3] a year — average Pension Credit award
12M+[1] pensioners affected in 2026/27

Each figure is backed by an official source listed in Sources.

How much is the State Pension going up?

Under the Triple Lock, payments rise by 4.8% from 6 April 2026 — the highest of average earnings growth, inflation or 2.5%.

Who: Everyone receiving the basic or new State Pension.

For 2026/27 the earnings figure won, so the increase is 4.8%. It is applied automatically from the start of the tax year — there is nothing to claim.

How much you personally get still depends on your National Insurance record. The weekly figures below are illustrative and shown before any tax.

BeforeIncrease (4.8%)From April 2026
£176.45+£8.45£184.90
£230.25+£11.05£241.30

Illustrative weekly figures, before any tax. Your amount depends on your National Insurance record. [1]

In plain English

The yearly increase is automatic. You do not need to apply, call anyone or fill in a form to receive it.

Could you be missing out on Pension Credit?

Pension Credit tops up a low income to about £238 a week for a single person — and can open the door to other help. Many who qualify never claim it.

Who: Pensioners on a lower income.

Illustration relating to Could you be missing out on Pension Credit?

From April 2026 the guarantee rises to roughly £238.00 a week for a single person and £363.25 for a couple. The average award is worth around £4,300 a year.

Beyond the money, qualifying can act as a gateway to help with rent, help with Council Tax, and a free TV licence for the over-75s. The only way to know is to check.

HouseholdTops income up to (approx.)
Single person£238.00 / week
Couple£363.25 / week

Illustrative 2026/27 guarantee levels. Eligibility depends on your income, savings and circumstances. [3]

Worth checking

A successful Pension Credit claim is worth about £4,300 a year on average — and can unlock other support too.

Will you have to pay tax on your pension?

The £12,570 tax-free Personal Allowance is frozen until 2030/31. As pensions rise, more people are slowly pulled into paying Income Tax — “fiscal drag”.

Who: Anyone whose total income is near or above £12,570 a year.

Income Tax is charged on your total taxable income above the allowance — not on the State Pension alone. Because the allowance is held still while incomes rise, more people cross the line over time.

This is information only, not tax advice. If you are unsure whether tax applies, or how it is collected, check GOV.UK or speak to HMRC.

Watch out

Tax is on your total income, not the State Pension by itself — and many pensioners still pay none at all.

What help is there with energy bills?

Typical household energy bills are expected to fall by around £150 a year from April 2026, alongside the Warm Home Discount for eligible households.

Who: Lower-income households, especially those on Pension Credit.

Illustration relating to What help is there with energy bills?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off rebate on electricity bills over winter for eligible households. The rules are set each year by the scheme.

Energy prices move with the regulator’s price cap, so always check the current rules and whether you need to apply or are paid automatically.

Good to know

People on Pension Credit Guarantee Credit are usually included in the Warm Home Discount automatically.

Is your National Insurance record complete?

Your State Pension is built from your National Insurance record. Checking it — and any gaps — on GOV.UK is free and takes a few minutes.

Who: People approaching State Pension age, or with gaps in their record.

Your forecast shows what you are on track to get and flags any gap years. In some cases voluntary contributions can fill gaps — but whether it is worth it is personal.

This page does not tell you what to do. Use the free GOV.UK service or the government-backed MoneyHelper service to weigh it up for your situation.

Free to check

Your State Pension forecast and full National Insurance record are free to view on GOV.UK.

Quick myth-busting

Five things people get wrong

All pensioners now pay tax on the State Pension.

You only pay Income Tax if your total taxable income is above £12,570. Many pensioners pay nothing at all.

Pension Credit is only a few pounds — not worth claiming.

The average award is around £4,300 a year, and it can unlock help with rent, Council Tax and a free TV licence for the over-75s.

The 4.8% rise is the same cash amount for everyone.

It is a percentage. Your cash increase depends on your current rate and National Insurance record.

You have to do something to get the April increase.

The annual uprating is applied automatically. You do not need to apply for the standard increase.

Working past State Pension age means you lose it.

You can work and still receive your State Pension. Working can affect tax on your overall income, not your entitlement.

Status

Where things stand

4.8% State Pension increaseFrom April 2026
Pension Credit uprating (+4.8%)From April 2026
Personal Allowance £12,570Frozen to 2030/31
Warm Home Discount supportConfirmed

Status reflects public information as of 14 February 2026. Always confirm current details on GOV.UK.

Where these figures come from

Sources

All figures on this page are based on public information from official sources. Links open the original pages.

  1. Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 — GOV.UK
  2. The new State Pension — GOV.UK
  3. Pension Credit — GOV.UK
  4. Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances — GOV.UK
  5. Warm Home Discount Scheme — GOV.UK
  6. Check your State Pension forecast — GOV.UK
  7. MoneyHelper (government-backed, free guidance)
  8. Citizens Advice

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