Millions of UK pensioners are set to see their State Pension increase from April 2027, but not every part of a State Pension payment will receive the same rise.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that the full new State Pension will increase by 3.9%, rising from £241.30 to £250.70 a week from 12 April 2027. The basic State Pension will also rise by 3.9%, from £184.90 to £192.10 a week.
However, some additional elements are being uprated differently.
Protected payments will rise by 3.5%
People receiving a protected payment on top of their full new State Pension will not get the 3.9% increase on that particular element.
The official 2027/28 rates show protected payments increasing by 3.5%, in line with CPI inflation, rather than the 3.9% earnings-linked increase applying to the main State Pension.
A protected payment can apply where someone had a higher State Pension entitlement under the old system, including certain people who built up Additional State Pension before 2016.
Additional State Pension is also different
Some people who reached State Pension age under the old system receive an Additional State Pension.
This includes elements such as SERPS and State Second Pension. For 2027/28, the Additional State Pension is listed for a 3.5% increase, rather than the 3.9% increase applying to the basic and full new State Pension.
This means two pensioners with similar total payments could see slightly different increases depending on what makes up their entitlement.
What is increasing by 3.9%?
The main increases confirmed for April 2027 are:
- Full new State Pension: £250.70 a week
- Basic State Pension: £192.10 a week
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit: £247.30 a week for a single person and £377.40 for a couple
The Government says the 3.9% increase follows average earnings growth and fulfils the Triple Lock commitment.
Check what makes up your payment
The important point is that the headline “State Pension will rise by 3.9%” does not mean every individual component rises by 3.9%.
If your payment includes protected payments, Additional State Pension or other older pension elements, those parts can be uprated at a different rate.
Anyone unsure about their entitlement can check their State Pension forecast and National Insurance record through GOV.UK. The exact increase will depend on the individual components making up their pension.