A fresh online petition is urging the UK Government to significantly increase the weekly State Pension to £586 for everyone aged 60 and above, including British citizens living abroad.
The proposal, initiated by Denver Johnson, calls for State Pension payments to reflect 48 hours of work per week at the current National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour.
What the Petition Demands
If the government were to adopt the proposal, over 13 million current pensioners and those aged 60+ would receive £2,344 every four weeks, totaling £30,476 annually. This suggested amount is based on multiplying the living wage by 48 hours weekly.
Importantly, this petition also includes 453,000 expat pensioners whose State Pension payments have been frozen due to residing in countries without reciprocal agreements with the UK.
The petition, titled “Give State Pension to all at 60 and increase it to equal 48 hours at Living Wage,” is available on the official UK Parliament petitions website. It demands that from April 2025, the State Pension becomes a right for all individuals aged 60 and above, regardless of where they live.
Petition Milestones and Government Response
- At 10,000 signatures, the UK Government must issue a formal response.
- At 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee will consider it for Parliamentary debate.
Current State Pension Rates and the Triple Lock System
The UK’s Triple Lock policy ensures that the State Pension increases annually by the highest of:
- Average earnings growth (May to July)
- CPI inflation (year to September)
- A flat rate of 2.5%
In April 2024, the State Pension rose by 4.7%, resulting in the following:
| Pension Type | Weekly Amount | Four-Weekly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Full New State Pension | £230.25 | £921.00 |
| Full Basic State Pension | £176.45 | £705.80 |
State Pension Projections for 2026/27
Currently, earnings growth stands at 5.2%, suggesting this may guide the next State Pension increase. Should this percentage remain, expected payments would be:
| Pension Type | Weekly Payment | Four-Weekly Amount | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full New State Pension | £242.90 | £971.60 | £12,630.80 |
| Full Basic State Pension | £186.25 | £744.60 | £9,679.80 |
However, these figures are provisional and the official increase will be announced in the Autumn Budget. The final CPI data for September and updated wage growth figures will confirm the rates.
State Pension and Income Tax Thresholds
Earlier in 2024, the Labour Government confirmed the Personal Allowance (tax-free income) will stay frozen at £12,570 until April 2028. With projected increases, the New State Pension could exceed this threshold by £79 in the 2027/28 tax year, even using the minimum 2.5% Triple Lock increase.
This means pensioners with additional sources of income (like private or workplace pensions) may face increased tax liabilities, especially if PAYE systems don’t automatically deduct the required tax.
What Counts as Taxable Income?
According to GOV.UK, you must pay tax if your total annual income exceeds the Personal Allowance. Taxable income may include:
- State Pension (New or Basic)
- Additional State Pension
- Private or Workplace Pensions
- Earnings from employment or self-employment
- Taxable benefits
- Investment, property, or savings income
To determine if you owe tax, you’ll need to know:
- How much State Pension and private pension income you’re receiving
- Any other taxable income for the tax year (April 6–April 5)
- You cannot use the official GOV.UK tax-check tool if you receive:
- Foreign income
- Marriage Allowance
- Blind Person’s Allowance
The petition to increase the State Pension to £586 weekly from age 60 represents a bold challenge to current UK pension policies. By linking payments to the National Living Wage and including expats, the proposal seeks to redefine retirement support in the UK.
Whether the government will respond or implement changes depends on the petition’s momentum and eventual Parliamentary debate. Meanwhile, pensioners and those planning for retirement should stay informed of Triple Lock projections, tax thresholds, and official budget announcements to make sound financial decisions.
FAQs
Will the UK Government actually consider the pension petition?
If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the Government must respond. At 100,000, the issue can be debated in Parliament.
Does the proposed £586 weekly pension apply to British expats?
Yes, the proposal includes British retirees living abroad, even those in countries without reciprocal agreements, whose pensions are currently frozen.
How will future increases in the State Pension be decided?
Under the Triple Lock system, pensions rise annually based on whichever is highest: average earnings growth, CPI inflation, or 2.5%.