About this data

Source: DWP, Abstract of DWP benefit rate statistics 2025; Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027

• The basic State Pension is paid to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. The new State Pension replaced it for people reaching State Pension age from then. Both are shown at the full rate, for someone with a full National Insurance record (35 years for the new State Pension).
• Adjusted for inflation with the Retail Prices Index, in April 2026 prices, so the whole series since 1948 is on one measure. RPI rises faster than CPI, so real growth since 1988 is a little smaller on this measure than on CPI.
• Since 2011-12, the State Pension has risen each April by the highest of earnings growth, CPI inflation and 2.5% (the 'triple lock'), except in 2022-23, when the earnings link was suspended.
• Before 1987, the pension was usually raised in November rather than April; where it rose twice in a year, the later rate is shown.

This chart appears in Pensions.