Overview

• The UK's frozen state pension policy affects 453,000 retirees living abroad, including over 100,000 in Canada, who missed out on a £470 annual increase in May 2025.
• Under Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rules, pensions are not uprated annually unless a reciprocal social security agreement exists between the UK and the host country.
• Advocacy groups, such as End Frozen Pensions Canada, are leveraging the election of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to push for diplomatic negotiations to unfreeze pensions.
• Retirees like 100-year-old Anne Puckridge report severe financial strain, limiting basic purchases and social activities due to stagnant pension payments.
• The DWP defends the longstanding policy, stating that it provides clear information to retirees about the financial implications of moving abroad.