The UK state pension has been an important update in 2025. The government continues to use the “triple lock” to increase pension payments. This means the state pension goes up each year by the highest of three figures: inflation, average wage growth, or 2.5%.
In April 2025, the state pension rose by 4.1%, reflecting wage growth. This increase means people receiving the full new state pension get 230.25 euros per week. Annually, this is about 11,973 euros. For those on the older basic state pension, the weekly amount is now 176.45 euros, or around 9,175 euros a year.
The triple lock was introduced in 2010 to ensure pensioners’ incomes keep up with the cost of living and wages. It protects pensioners from losing out through inflation or wage rises. The policy benefits more than 12 million people currently receiving a state pension.
To get a full new state pension, someone must have made National Insurance contributions for 35 years. However, not all pensioners receive the full amount. Many have gaps in their National Insurance history due to reasons like living abroad or caring for children. Some can make voluntary payments to increase their pension.
The government confirmed that the triple lock will continue for now. Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that the Labour government is committed to maintaining it throughout the current Parliament.
However, there has been debate about whether the rise in pension payments is affordable. The tripling cost of the policy by 2030 is causing some concerns about long-term public finances.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates the annual cost of the triple lock could rise to 15.5 billion euros by 2030. Currently, state pension spending accounts for nearly half of the total benefits budget. Some experts suggest reforms to control these rising costs, including potentially changing or ending the triple lock, but no decisions have been made yet.
The state pension age is also changing. For people born after April 5, 1960, the pension age is rising to 67 and will gradually increase to 68 for those born in April 1977. The government recently began a third review of the state pension age to consider further changes. This reflects longer life expectancies and the need to ensure the pension system’s financial sustainability.
Around seven million pensioners may not get the full triple lock increase this year. This is because they may also receive extra earnings-related pensions, which only rise by inflation. For them, the total pension increase is less than the headline rise.
Overall, the triple lock keeps the state pension growing steadily. Pensioners benefit from rises that protect their income against inflation and wage growth. But the increasing cost of the policy has sparked political and economic debate about its future.
The government plans to keep the current triple lock for now while monitoring costs and population changes. With millions relying on state pensions as a key part of their retirement income, this policy remains crucial to many people’s financial security and standard of living.
