Overview

• Revised ONS data puts May–July earnings growth at 4.8%, lifting projected April rates to about £241.30 a week for the new State Pension and £184.90 for the basic rate, adding £100m-plus to costs.
• At roughly £12,547.60 a year, the full new State Pension would sit about £22 below the £12,570 personal allowance, with analysts estimating up to 400,000 more pensioners could become taxpayers if thresholds remain frozen.
• Final uprating awaits the forthcoming inflation reading and Budget confirmation, with the triple lock pledged to remain this Parliament and the State Pension age due to start rising to 67 from April 2026.
• Policy in Practice estimates around 761,000 eligible pensioners are missing Pension Credit worth about £2,000 a year on average, which also unlocks help such as council tax support and a free TV licence for over‑75s.
• Under this year’s Winter Fuel Payment process, payments of £200–£300 will land automatically but HMRC will reclaim them from roughly four million pensioners with annual incomes above £35,000.