TL;DR
The UK State Pension rose by 4.8 percent from April 2026, in line with the triple lock. The increase applies to both the new State Pension and the basic State Pension. The exact weekly amount depends on National Insurance record and which State Pension applies.
Last reviewed: 14 May 2026
Key facts
- The State Pension rose by 4.8 percent from April 2026.
- The rise applies to the new State Pension and the basic State Pension.
- The increase is set by the triple lock mechanism.
- The amount received depends on National Insurance contributions.
- Frozen Income Tax thresholds can affect pensioners with other income.
What changed in April 2026
The State Pension increased by 4.8 percent at the start of the 2026/27 tax year. The uprating applies to both the new State Pension, paid to people who reached State Pension age from April 2016, and the basic State Pension paid to those who reached it earlier.
How the triple lock works
The triple lock sets the annual State Pension increase as the highest of three figures: average earnings growth, inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index, or 2.5 percent. The 4.8 percent figure for April 2026 reflects whichever of those measures was highest for the relevant period.
What determines your amount
The State Pension is not a single flat figure for everyone. The amount depends on the number of qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits. A full new State Pension generally requires around 35 qualifying years, with a minimum number of years needed to receive anything at all.
Tax and the State Pension
The State Pension is taxable income, although it is paid without tax deducted. For pensioners whose total income, including private or workplace pensions, exceeds the Personal Allowance of £12,570, Income Tax applies. Because that allowance is frozen to 2031, uprating the State Pension can bring more pensioners closer to or above the tax threshold over time.
Checking your position
People approaching State Pension age can request a State Pension forecast, which shows the amount based on their record to date and whether gaps could be filled with voluntary contributions. Those already receiving it will see the uprated amount in payments from April 2026.
How this fits the wider 2026 picture
The uprating lands in the same tax year as the dividend rate rise and alongside frozen Income Tax thresholds. For pensioners with income from several sources, the combination of a higher State Pension and a frozen Personal Allowance is worth understanding together rather than in isolation.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How much did the State Pension rise in April 2026?
It rose by 4.8 percent from April 2026, in line with the triple lock.
Does the rise apply to the basic State Pension too?
Yes. The uprating applies to both the new State Pension and the basic State Pension.
What is the triple lock?
It is the rule that increases the State Pension each year by the highest of average earnings growth, CPI inflation, or 2.5 percent.
Is the State Pension taxable?
Yes. It is taxable income, though it is paid without tax taken off. Tax may be due if total income exceeds the Personal Allowance.
How do I find my own State Pension amount?
A State Pension forecast on GOV.UK shows the amount based on your National Insurance record and your State Pension age.
