Older state pensioners are being handed a financial boost in 2026 worth up to £440. The state pension is guaranteed to increase every year based on one of three metrics – inflation, wage growth or a flat 2.5%, and this is enshrined in law for both the new post-2016 state pension and the older, basic state pension.

And it has been confirmed that the Triple Lock is set to produce an approximate £440 increase for older state pensioners from April 2026. That’s because the key average earnings figure has been confirmed at 4.8%, which is higher than inflation and of course higher than the 2.5% minimum floor for increases.

Older state pensioners, who hit state pension age before 2016, will get the 4.8% boost to their basic state pension, but the basic pension is set at a lower weekly amount than the full state pension, so the end result is a lower total increase, at £440 instead of £575.

Older state pensioners will see their payments increase from £176.45 to approximately £184.90, while new state pensioners will see theirs rise from the current £230.25 to approximately £241.30 per week.

Crucially, both of these will still be below the £12,570 Personal Allowance threshold for income tax.

There is also another DWP rule which will allow older state pensioners to boost their weekly payments, depending on their income and savings.

Pension Credit is a benefit which older state pensioners (and new state pensioners) can use to boost their income. For example, an older state pensioner who only qualifies for the basic state pension will be getting £184.90 per week. But Pension Credit tops up this amount up to £238 per week, which is only a few pounds less than the new state pension anyway (£241.30). However, your other income, such as work earnings, property income or savings interest or a private pension is counted first, and if you won’t be able to get the full amount if you have exceed income limits.

However, the Chancellor also announced that in future, state pensioners who exceed the £12,570 Personal Tax Allowance will not owe tax on their state pension, as long as they have no other income.