What is the triple lock and how much is the state pension worth?

The new state pension is expected to rise by £488 a year, as a result of the triple lock arrangement.

The triple lock guarantees that the state pension goes up each year in line with either inflation, wage increases or 2.5% - whichever is the highest.

The age at which millions of people can claim their state pension has started to increase from 66 to 67.

The state pension is a payment made every four weeks by the government, to people who have reached the qualifying age and have paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions.

the new flat-rate state pension - for those who reached state pension age after April 2016 - is £241.30 a week, or £12,547.60 a year

the old basic state pension - for those who reached state pension age before April 2016 - is £184.90 a week, or £9,614.80 a year

Many people on the old basic state pension may also receive the additional state pension , external .

In general, you need 35 years of qualifying contributions to get a full state pension.

Some people may have gaps in their NI record if, for example, they have lived abroad or taken time off to care for children.

It is possible to make voluntary payments to boost your contribution history. Since April 2025, you have only been able to make payments for the previous six years.

Data suggested that the state pension will increase in April 2027 , meaning:

the flat-rate state pension - for those who reached state pension age after April 2016 – will likely be £250.70 a week, or £13,036.40 a year, up £488 on now

the old basic state pension - for those who reached state pension age before April 2016 – will likely be £192.10 a week, or £9,989.20 a year, up £374.40 on now

Under the triple lock system, the state pension increases each April in line with whichever of three measures is the highest: