Overview

• Latest forecasts point to a 4%–4.6% triple lock rise from April 2026, lifting the full new State Pension by roughly £478–£551 to about £12,524 a year.
• The increase would push payments close to the frozen personal allowance, meaning more retirees could fall into income tax and may receive contact from HMRC.
• The DWP has begun a statutory State Pension age review that includes assessing automatic links to life expectancy, with some reporting suggesting ages near 70 are possible for younger cohorts.
• Under existing law the State Pension age rises from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and the DWP is urging people born in 1960–61 to check their date via the GOV.UK tool, with letters to affected cohorts sent in advance.
• The OBR warns the triple lock’s annual cost could reach around £15.5bn by 2030, intensifying debate over affordability and highlighting that those on the older basic pension see smaller cash gains than new pension recipients.