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State Pensions to Rise 4.8% in 2026 as DWP Pays Christmas Bonus and Clarifies Rules

The increase takes the full New State Pension to within £36 of the frozen personal allowance, heightening concerns about tax exposure for those with other income.

Overview

  • From April 2026, the full New State Pension rises to £241.30 a week (£12,547 a year) and the full Basic State Pension to £184.90 a week under the Triple Lock.
  • Attendance Allowance will increase by 3.8% next April, taking the higher rate to about £114.60 a week and worth up to roughly £5,959 a year.
  • The government says that from 2027/28, people whose sole income is the state pension will not have to pay or file for small tax amounts, though those with additional income may still be liable.
  • The DWP is making its automatic £10 Christmas Bonus to people on qualifying benefits this month, with Winter Fuel Payments also being paid across November and December.
  • At State Pension age, new claims for PIP, DLA, ADP, UC, and income-based JSA/ESA are not allowed; Attendance Allowance is the main disability benefit at this age and cannot be used for Motability, and Scotland is transitioning pension-age claimants to Pension Age Disability Payment by the end of December.