We explain what the full state pension amount is in the current tax year and whether it’s worth topping up yours with national insurance contributions. The state pension increased more than 10% in April 2023. The full basic amount pensioners receive rises every year in line with wider economic trends via a system known as the triple lock,
- What is the state pension?
- How much state pension will I get?
- When will I get the state pension?
- When is the state pension age increasing?
- What is the triple lock on state pensions?
- Should I defer my state pension?
Read more: Should I defer my state pension?
Contents
What is the State Pension forecast for 2024 UK?
Pensioners could receive another bumper state pension hike in 2024 State pension could rise 7% to £11,342 in 2024 and 17.8% over two years as the Bank of England forecast predicts inflation to remain stubbornly high. The state pension could rise in accordance with the triple lock in 2024.
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CPI inflation of 7% in September would mean that the state pension rises to £11,342 in April 2024. This rise comes after this year’s 10.6% rise, meaning that the state pension could rise by a massive 17.8% in total over two years, up until April 2024.
State pension rise | State pension in 2022-23 | Current state pension | State pension in 2024-25 based on BoE forecast of 7% | Rise over two years (April 2022 – April 2024) | State pension in 2025-26 based on BoE forecast |
New state pension | 9,628 | 10,600 | 11,342 | 17.8% | 11,671 |
Basic state pension | 7,377 | 8,122 | 8,691 | 17.8% | 8,943 |
Source: Alice Guy, Head of Pensions and Savings, interactive investor, says: “Pensioners could be due another bumper state pension hike next year, with inflation proving a much tougher nut to crack than the Bank of England hoped. Their May forecast predicts inflation will fall slightly from its current rate of 8.7% to 7% in September, the key date for deciding the state pension for next year.
The state pension forms the backbone of most people’s income and a rise in the state pension will be a lifeline to many people on the breadline. There’s a myth that all pensioners are wealthy but this simple isn’t the case with many pensioners relying on the state pension as their main source of income.
“The state pension is also a two-tier system, with older pensioners who retired before 2016 getting a lower basic state pension, only currently worth £8,122 rather than £10,600 for the full new state pension. “Although the state pension is rising, that doesn’t mean pensioners are feeling any better off as a bigger pension income is cancelled out by rising prices.
- Many poorer pensioners are facing real hardship as they spend a big proportion of their household income on increasingly expensive necessities such as food and energy.
- Pensioners are one of the most vulnerable groups to rising prices as they have limited options to boost their income.
- If you have an elderly relative who’s struggling on a low income, then it’s worth checking if they’re entitled to any benefits such as Pension Credit.
works by topping up your income to £201 if you’re single and £306.85 if you have a partner, but you could get around £42 to £76 more each week if you have a disability, you care for someone or you’re responsible for a child. You could be entitled to Pension Credit even if you get state pension.
There are also a large minority of pensioners with housing costs who will be directly or indirectly impacted by rising interest costs. Ii’s 2022 Great British Retirement Survey revealed that nearly one in four (23%) of those over 65 do not own their own home, and a further 6% are still paying off a mortgage.
Many of these older people face mounting rental and mortgage costs as inflation and rising interest rates take effect. “One silver lining is that energy prices are falling and are likely to be lower this winter. Likewise, there are signs that food inflation is beginning to ease and prices are actually falling slightly in some cases.” These articles are provided for information purposes only.
Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties. The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives.
The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.
Will the state pension increase in 2023 UK?
How much is the State Pension increasing by this year? – From 6 April 2023, the State Pension will increase by 10.1%. This is the amount of inflation measured by CPI for September 2022.
What is the average LAPP pension?
Myth: Alberta taxpayers are on the hook for LAPP pensions. Fact: Your LAPP pension is not guaranteed by government. It’s backed by a pension fund in excess of $60-billion, directly owned by LAPP members like you and invested on your behalf. Myth: The Government of Alberta holds the risk for LAPP pensions.
- Fact: Government amended pension legislation in the ’90s, absolving itself of all funding responsibility for LAPP.
- In exchange, it promised to turn control of the Plan over to LAPP sponsors (the employers and employees like you who pay for it), who had been waiting 30 years for this governance reform.
Myth: Public sector workers have gold-plated pension plans. Fact: The average annual pension paid out by LAPP in 2021 was $20,250. Fact: Your LAPP pension is based on years of service (the number of years you contribute to your pension) and your highest average salary (the five years in a row where your average salary was the highest).
- The longer you pay into the Plan, the higher your lifetime pension.
- Myth: Taxpayers pay for LAPP member pensions.
- Fact: You pay for your own pension.
- Members like you contribute between 7% and 12% of your income, depending on your salary, every month throughout your entire career with a LAPP employer.
- Fact: Your LAPP employer also contribute to your pension, at a rate 1% higher than employees.
The employer contribution is part of the employee’s total compensation package. Benefit packages, which also include things like health benefits, dental benefits, and life insurance, are offered by employers to improve workforce recruitment and retention.
Myth: Defined benefit (DB) pension plans are pyramid schemes where people working today are contributing to cover the cost of pensions owed to those who’ve already retired. Fact: For every dollar paid out in pensions in 2021, about 90 cents came from investment revenues. Myth: When LAPP members retire, they receive their contributions and their employer contributions with interest.
Fact: Your LAPP pension is paid based on a formula that takes into account your highest average salary and your number of years of pensionable service in the Plan. All contributions are pooled into a large investment fund that earns income used to pay out your lifetime retirement benefits.
- Myth: DB plans benefit only public sector workers and are a drain on others.
- Fact: Large Defined Benefit plans like LAPP help fuel Alberta’s economy through billions of dollars in investment activity on an annual basis, directly supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and providing retirement incomes to seniors so they don’t have to live off government programs.
See our Advocacy page for some of the independent research you can use to verify this. Myth: When LAPP contribution rates go down, it will affect my future pension benefit. Fact: This is not true. The rate reduction means it will cost your and your employer less for the same level of pension benefit because a LAPP pension is based on a set DB formula that’s always been used to calculate your lifetime pension.
- The LAPP Board conducts an actuarial valuation each year to monitor the financial condition of the Plan and whether the contribution rates are higher or lower than what is needed to ensure the long-term funding of the Plan, recommending adjustments to the contribution rates when necessary.
- Myth: If I leave my employer, I’ll lose my LAPP pension.
Fact: Not true. If you’re vested and leave your employer, you’ll have the option to keep the pension benefit you’ve earned in the Plan. At age 55, you’re then eligible to receive a LAPP pension for the rest of your life. If you later take a job with one of the 437 LAPP employers who participate in the Plan, you’ll be able to add new pensionable service to what you’ve already earned and increase your lifetime pension.
- Myth: My pension will be lost if I die before retirement.
- Fact: LAPP has very specific rules around what happens to your pension in this circumstance.
- If you’re vested and pass away before retirement, and if you have a spouse or partner, they will have the choice of immediately starting a monthly LAPP pension for life or receiving a one-time lump-sum payment based on the commuted value of the pension.
If you don’t have a spouse or partner, or your spouse or partner has signed a waiver, your chosen beneficiaries will be entitled to receive the one-time payment of the commuted value of the pension.
Which country has the highest pension?
SUMMARY – Mercer and the CFA Institute released its 14th annual Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index (MCGPI) on October 11 that comprises a list of 44 countries with the best and worst pension system in the world. According to the report, Iceland’s retirement income system has once again topped the list, while Thailand has been ranked lowest. 1 / 10 No 1 | Iceland | The country has the best pension system in the world. The retirement income system here comprises a basic state pension and a pension supplement (both of which are income-tested according to different rules); mandatory occupational private pension schemes with contributions from both employers and employees; and voluntary personal pensions.
2 / 10 No 2 | The Netherlands | The Dutch nation’s retirement income system comprises a flat-rate public pension and quasi-mandatory earnings-related occupational pension schemes linked to industrial agreements. The Dutch index value of the country increased from 83.5 in 2021 to 84.6 in 2022, primarily due to the revised scoring.
3 / 10 No 3 | Denmark | The country’s retirement income system comprises a public pension scheme that provides a basic pension, a means-tested supplementary pension benefit, a fully funded DC scheme providing lifelong pensions and mandatory occupational DC schemes. The Danish index value remained unchanged at 82.0.
4 / 10 No 4 | Israel | The Middle Eastern country has bagged the fourth position here. Its retirement income system comprises a universal state pension with an income-tested supplement and private pensions with compulsory employer and employee contributions.
5 / 10 No 5 | Finland | Taking the 5th spot is Finland. The country’s retirement income system consists of a basic state pension, which is income-tested, and a range of statutory earnings-related schemes. The Finnish index value increased from 73.3 in 2021 to 77.2 in 2022, primarily due to an increase in social assistance and the revised scoring.
6 / 10 No 40 | Turkey’s retirement system is the fifth lowest in the world. It comprises an income-tested public pension and an earnings-related public scheme. People can join voluntary private pension systems to supplement their income in retirement, but coverage is currently low.
7 / 10 No 41 | India | The country has the forth-lowest retirement income system in the world, according to the report. It comprises an earnings-related employee pension scheme, a DC employee provident fund (EPFO) and supplementary employer-managed pension schemes, which are largely DC in nature.
8 / 10 No 42 | Argentina | Ranked as third lowest, has a retirement income system that is composed of a pay-as-you-go social security system (comprising a basic pension and an earnings-related benefit) together with voluntary occupational corporate and individual pension plans that may be offered through employer book reserves, insurance companies or pension trusts.
9 / 10 No 43 | The Philippines, ranked as second lowest, has a retirement income system comprising of a small basic pension and an earnings-related social security system. Members can receive a lifetime pension if they have contributed for a minimum of 120 months.
10 / 10 No 44 | Thailand ranks the lowest in the world. The retirement income system here comprises an old-age pension, a social security fund for private-sector employees in the formal sectors, voluntary employer-sponsored DC plans and individual savings products. The Thai index value increased from 40.6 in 2021 to 41.7 in 2022, primarily due to higher net replacement rates.
How can I increase my State Pension?
How can I boost my state pension? There are three main ways you can increase the amount you receive in your state pension – claiming free NI credits, buying extra years, or deferring.
What are the new PIP payments for 2023?
PIP Rates For 2023/2024 – Personal Independence Payment (PIP) comprises two components:
- Daily living – If you need help with day-to-day tasks
- Mobility – If you require assistance with getting around
Each of these components has a standard and enhanced rate, depending on how great your needs are. When claiming PIP, you’ll be assessed by a medical professional to determine how much help you require and which rate(s) you qualify for. You could be eligible for both or just one of the components.
What will the retirement age be in 2026 UK?
State Pension age rise to 67 will take place as planned between 2026-2028. Review within two years of next Parliament to reconsider rise to age 68. Delivers on Government responsibility to ensure the State Pension remains sustainable and fair across the generations.
The Government has confirmed the State Pension age will rise to 67 by the end of 2028, following a review published today. After carefully considering expert evidence, including two independent reports, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has concluded the planned pension age rise from 66 to 67 for those born after April 1960 remains appropriate.
The Pensions Act 2014 requires the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to regularly review State Pension age. To inform this Review, two independent reports were commissioned – analysis from the Government Actuary based on life expectancy projections and the proportion of adult life spent in retirement, and findings from Baroness Neville-Rolfe which considered relevant factors including life-expectancy trends.
As the number of people over State Pension age increases, the Government must ensure it remains sustainable and fair for current and future generations. The Government plans to have a further review within two years of the next Parliament to reconsider the rise to age 68.
- This gives the Government appropriate time to take into account evidence which is not yet available on the long-term impact of recent challenges, including the Covid pandemic and global inflationary pressures.
- These events bring a level of uncertainty in relation to the current data on life expectancy, labour markets and the public finances.
This will ensure that the Government is able to consider the latest information to inform any future decision on the State Pension age. This will include life expectancy and population projections updated with 2021 Census data and the latest demographic trends, the economic position and the impact on the labour market of the recently announced package of measures to tackle inactivity.
Given the wide-ranging impacts of changing the State Pension age, it is important to take the time to get any changes right. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride said: It’s essential the State Pension remains sustainable and fair across the generations. Our balanced approach will help achieve this and ensure we continue to provide security and dignity in retirement for millions of people across the country.
The Government remains committed to the principle of providing 10 years notice of changes to State Pension age, enabling people to plan effectively for retirement. All options for the rise to the State Pension age from 67 to 68 that meet the 10 years notice period will be in scope at the next review.