DWP urged to approve plan to increase State Pension payments to £549 a week (Image: Getty)
The (DWP) is being urged to increase the to £549 for everyone over 60, including British expats. A petition, that has garnered over 14,900 signatures, is requesting the UK Government to consider the proposal.
Started by Denver Johnson, the petition asks for an increase that would bring the in line with 48 hours of work per week at the rate of £11.44 per hour.
This will result in a yearly payment of £28,554.24 for 12.9 million people who are currently receiving the , as well as those over 60.
The raise would also benefit approximately 453,000 retirees whose has been frozen due to their country of residence not having a reciprocal agreement with the UK Government.
The petition, posted on the petitions-parliament website, states: “We want the Government to make the available from the age of 60 and increase this to equal 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage.
The petition has garnered over 14,900 signatures and submitted to the UK Government. (Image: Getty)
“Hence from April 2024, a universal should be £549.12 per week or about £28,554.24 per year as a right to all including expatriates, age 60 and above.
“We think that Government policy seems intent on the being a benefit, while increasing the age of entitlement. We want reforms so the is available from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage”, reports the .
The New and Basic State Pensions are set to rise in April by 4.1 per cent, under the earnings growth measure of the , however, additional elements along with working age and disability benefits, will increase by 1.7 per cent under the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate.
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The recently set out the proposed new payment rates for the 2025/26 financial year.
People on the full New will see payments rise by £9.05 per week from £221.20 to £230.25 and as the payment is typically made every four weeks this amounts to £921.
The uplift will see annual payments rise by £473.60 from £11,502 to £11,973 over the 2025/26 financial year. However, not all of the 4.1m people on the New receive the full amount as it is linked to National Insurance Contributions.
Someone on the full Basic will see weekly payments rise by £6.95 per week from £169.50 to £176.45, or £705.80 every four-week payment period. Annual payments will rise by £361.40 from £8,814 to £9,175.40 over the 2025/26 financial year.