What is the State Pension triple lock?

For pensioners and people nearing State Pension age who want to know how their pension rises each year.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

The triple lock is the rule that raises the State Pension each year by whichever is highest: earnings growth, price inflation (CPI) or 2.5%.

In April 2026 both the new and basic State Pension rose by 4.8%, in line with average earnings.
Full new State Pension: £241.30 a week in 2026/27, up from £230.25.
Full basic State Pension: £184.90 a week, up from £176.45.
Extra parts, like additional State Pension, rise with prices instead (3.8% in 2026).
The government says it will keep the triple lock for this Parliament.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Highest of earnings, CPI or 2.5%
2026 rise: 4.8% (earnings)
New State Pension: £241.30 a week
Basic State Pension: £184.90 a week

How the triple lock works

Each April the government raises the State Pension. The triple lock sets the minimum rise. The pension goes up by whichever of these three is highest:

Earnings: the average growth in wages in Great Britain
Prices: the growth in prices measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI)
2.5%

So even in a year when wages and prices barely move, the State Pension still goes up by at least 2.5%.

The 2026/27 rise

For April 2026 the highest measure was earnings growth of 4.8%. Prices (CPI) were 3.8%, which is what some other parts of the State Pension rose by.

State Pension (full rate)	2025/26 per week	2026/27 per week	Rise per week	2026/27 per year (x 52)
New State Pension	£230.25	£241.30	£11.05	£12,547.60
Basic State Pension	£176.45	£184.90	£8.45	£9,614.80

The new rates started on 6 April 2026.

Worked examples

Example 1: full new State Pension. Joan gets the full new State Pension. Her pension rose by £11.05 a week. Over a year that is £11.05 x 52 = £574.60 more, which is the "£575 boost" the government announced.

Example 2: full basic State Pension. Ravi reached State Pension age before April 2016 and gets the full basic State Pension. His rise is £8.45 a week, or £8.45 x 52 = £439.40 a year.

What the triple lock does not cover

The triple lock applies to the basic and new State Pension. It does not apply to everything:

Additional State Pension (the old earnings-related top-up) and protected payments rose by 3.8% in April 2026, in line with CPI.
Pension Credit is a separate benefit. Its standard minimum guarantee also rose by 4.8% in April 2026, to £238.00 a week for a single person and £363.25 for a couple.
If you live abroad in a country where increases are not paid, your State Pension does not go up each year.

What changes your amount

The triple lock decides how much the rates rise. Your own amount also depends on your National Insurance record. You usually need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension. Check yours with the State Pension forecast service.

What happens next

The government has said it will keep the triple lock for the rest of this Parliament. It has also said that from April 2030 it will adjust the triple lock. The aim is to keep the State Pension at its current value compared with earnings, with rises of at least inflation or 2.5% each year. The rise for April 2027 has not been confirmed yet.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

The new State Pension: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
Over 12 million pensioners to receive £575 State Pension boost (DWP, April 2026)
Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (DWP)
State Pension uprating analysis 2026 (DWP)

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check your State Pension forecast

Common questions

How much did the State Pension go up in April 2026?

Both the new and basic State Pension rose by 4.8%, in line with average earnings growth.

Does the triple lock apply to all of my State Pension?

No. Parts of the old State Pension that are not covered, such as additional State Pension, go up by CPI instead.

Is the triple lock changing?

The government has said it will adjust the triple lock from April 2030 so the pension keeps its value compared with earnings, rising by at least inflation or 2.5% each year.

Official sources

1.The new State Pension: what you'll get (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/new-state-pension/what-youll-get
2.Over 12 million pensioners to receive £575 State Pension boost (DWP)www.gov.uk/government/news/over-12-million-pensioners-to-receive-575-state-pension-boost
3.Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (DWP)www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027
4.State Pension uprating analysis 2026 (DWP)www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pension-uprating-analysis-2026/state-pension-uprating

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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