£549 Weekly State Pension for All Over 60s: A new petition demanding a significant rise in the UK State Pension has gained widespread attention. With over 14,900 signatures, this campaign calls for the State Pension to be increased to £549 per week for everyone aged 60 and above, including British expats. Spearheaded by Denver Johnson, the petition has crossed the 10,000-signature mark, prompting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to issue an official response.
What Does the Petition Propose?
The petition advocates for a substantial increase in weekly payments, aligning the State Pension with the equivalent of 48 hours of work per week at the current National Living Wage of £11.44 per hour. This would equate to an annual income of £28,554.24, benefitting the 12.9 million individuals currently receiving the State Pension, along with those aged 60 and over.
Notably, the proposal also addresses the plight of approximately 453,000 retirees living abroad, who currently receive a frozen State Pension due to the absence of reciprocal agreements between their countries and the UK.
According to the petition, beginning in April 2024, the universal State Pension should:
- Be available to everyone aged 60 and above.
- Equal £549.12 per week or £28,554.24 annually.
The petition argues that the Government treats the State Pension as a benefit and is unfairly increasing the entitlement age, disadvantaging retirees.
Eligibility Requirements for Debate in Parliament
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Signatures So Far | 18,710 (Till 14 January 2025) |
| Minimum Signatures Required | 100,000 |
| Deadline to Meet Requirement | 26 May 2025 |
This petition must reach the minimum threshold of 100,000 signatures by 26 May 2025 to qualify for consideration for a debate in Parliament. Keep encouraging participation to meet the goal!
Current State Pension Rates and Planned Increases
The New and Basic State Pensions are set to increase in April 2025, following the Triple Lock mechanism:
- Full New State Pension: Payments will rise by £9.05 per week, from £221.20 to £230.25, amounting to £921 every four weeks.
- Annual total: Increased from £11,502 to £11,973, reflecting a £473.60 rise.
- Note: Not all 4.1 million recipients receive the full amount, as it depends on their National Insurance Contributions.
- Full Basic State Pension: Weekly payments will increase by £6.95, from £169.50 to £176.45, equating to £705.80 every four weeks.
- Annual total: Increased from £8,814 to £9,175.40, reflecting a £361.40 rise.
While these increases offer some relief, they fall far short of the petition’s proposed amount, which seeks a significant reform to the current pension structure.
Why This Proposal Matters
The campaign highlights concerns that Government policies treat the State Pension as a mere benefit while steadily increasing the retirement age. It argues that the pension should be linked to the National Living Wage and made universally accessible from the age of 60.
Supporters believe this reform would provide retirees with a fair income, ensuring financial security during retirement. If implemented, this could also benefit British expats, many of whom face frozen pensions that fail to reflect inflation and rising living costs.
What’s Next?
Although the petition has garnered considerable support, the DWP has yet to commit to the proposed changes. A formal response will be issued due to the petition crossing the 10,000-signature threshold. However, no immediate changes are guaranteed, as significant financial implications would need to be assessed.
For now, retirees and campaign supporters are urged to keep advocating for reforms, while the Government is likely to address the matter in upcoming fiscal discussions.
The proposed State Pension increase to £549 per week has sparked a national conversation about retirement security and fairness. While the petition underscores the need for pension reforms, the Government’s response and subsequent actions will determine whether this ambitious proposal becomes a reality. For millions of pensioners, it represents a potential lifeline in managing the rising costs of living and ensuring a dignified retirement.
Source of News:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/dwp-urged-increase-state-pension-30760380
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/state-pension-payments-could-increased-30744832
FAQ
What is the proposed increase in the State Pension?
The petition calls for increasing the weekly State Pension to £549 for everyone aged 60 and above, equivalent to 48 hours of work at the National Living Wage.
Who started the petition to increase the State Pension?
The petition was initiated by Denver Johnson and has gathered over 14,900 signatures, crossing the threshold for a formal Government response.
What would be the annual income from the proposed State Pension increase?
If implemented, the proposed weekly pension of £549 would provide an annual income of £28,554.24.
How would the increase affect British expats?
The proposal includes approximately 453,000 British retirees abroad, many of whom currently receive a frozen State Pension due to a lack of reciprocal agreements.
When will the current State Pension rates increase?
The current State Pension rates are set to rise in April 2025, with the full New State Pension increasing to £230.25 per week.
I agree the State Pension does need to increase significantly, to enable retirees to live the remainder of their days in a modicum of comfort and stress free time.
I agree we are existing not living I also have a small yearly private pension which I paid over 800 tax as the threshold still stands at 12400 this also need to increase otherwise we will be paying more tax
The first thing they need to do is raise the tax threshold! Pensioners like myself are already paying tax on our State pension which is ludicrous. They give it to you with one hand, then take 20% back with the other.
We totally Agree
I totally agree with u ..its a damn disgrace that our state pension which we worked for isnt included in anything cause we dont have pension credit garanteed why should we have to ..we bloody work for our pension and hard..l know people that have never done a days work in their lire and reap all the benefits.. where did we go wrong
We worked hard all our lives…… that’s where we went wrong. !!!!
Absolutely 100% agree with you, it’s as if your paying Tax twice so it’s our money yet Tax man gets a massive share of it for doing F**k all, people need to fight this and petition the life out of this, Goverments been stealing of us and making millions/billions of our hard work time for change and reward the hard working people that keep the wheels turning.
About time the people who have paid hard earned tax get what is fair and just. Or at least the minimum wage.
Yes the state pension should be increased significantly, it’s a disgrace that we have paid tax our whole working life, then taxed on our old age pension, My husband who has paid into his private pension scheme has been taxed while working, then taxed again on his old age pension, not only is that unfair, but if passes away before me, I only get half of his works pension, when he has worked 55 years for, When a spouse dies there partner should be entitled to the fill amount not half.
Hello Alana Thomas,
We are totally agree with you, You can sign this petition and make this possible.
Thank you
I totally agree with it, I served in the military for 26 years and can remember having a rise taking us
45p over the amount so we couldn’t claim benefits. I also believe the word benefits insulting to the pensioners who spent their lives paying income tax and national insurance and it was something we paid for. It was the politicians who spent those funds and spiralled us into debt on numerous occasions.
Hello Mike Bell,
I am totally agree with you, Uk Govt should think about the old age people.
This would free up benefits via Pension Credit along with the on costs of admin etc. plus allow people to be in charge of themselves and not the state for their finances. This would enable council tax etc. to be paid by themselves and Anyone renting could go to Universal Credit etc. if needed for assessment.
Pensioners should never fall below the Living Wage, that’s disgraceful.
I agree, I am in my 80’s paid for government pension since 16 until iny 60’s. Now they don’t pay you what you are worth. Disgusting. I agree with these proposals .
Hello Mike Loxley,
Have you signed this petition?
“ Yes” absolutely the state pension should be increased, in accordance with inflation. This is not a benefit, people have worked hard and paid their taxes over many years for this money. Yet the government have denied pensions what is rightfully theirs. Forcing people to work longer than they should by increasing the age of entitlement. Absolutely disgusting 👎😠
Totally agree with your views Vanessa
Raising the age of entitlement is a total disgrace ,its true we are living longer but that doesn’t justify the age increase .
Living longer doesn’t mean you are fit and well enough to carry on working until you drop on the spot
We receive the lowest pension in the whole of Europe we should not pay any tax on any pensions we have paid tax all our working lives and to struggle with the rising cost of living is a total disgrace and what’s more to take away the fuel allowance is the last straw I was under the impression Labour is for the people ha what a joke I became a member of The Reform party T least he is for the people
Hello Susan Johnson,
Government was not in favor of old people, Now Uk people have to think and sign the petition for better change.
It’s always the old people what about the young people disabled people and vulnerable people they never get much help the reason why is because to many people fiddle the system and the disabled and vulnerable people can not get help how about helping them the people in there 50s instead of ignoring them younger disabled people and vulnerable people help them aswell
Indeed, You said fact
This will not help, looks very nice written down to try to convince the people that they get a good deal when in fact money will be stopped in other benefits they have so they will be no better ,if not worse off . Such a corrupt ,callous bunch .
Raise the State Pension for British Citizens that have earnt it throughout their lives, stop giving our money away as foreign aid to other Countries its about time our governments look after their own Country Men/Women.
Totally agree with you … we should look after our own first then if theres any left by all means give it to foreign aid & other countries that need it…but this countrys people should come first
Yes I totally agree with all the comments the pensioners can’t go on strike for a decent pension we just have to accept what the government says we are to get it’s a disgrace a living wage will suffice….
Any real danger of this occurring?…….Cant see it myself…Labour…Tories….same difference…
This country doesn’t care what you have done I worked for55 years in the construction industry as a plaster and later as a maintenance worker this country is selfish and forgets what we have all done made this country in to GREAT BRITON and now we are a third world country that is going nowhere and they have left us pensioners with nothing to be happy about
As we are worse paid pensioners in Europe,we should get more.It’s not easy when you don’t get enough to pay your bills.Work all your life for what.Doesn’t even match cost of living.Some people only tv which has to be paid for.Heating has to be paid for food etc.Maybe m/s Reeves could tell us how to do it ..I doubt it she hasn’t got anything right yet.
Like Mike Loxley my situation is exactly the same in my 80’s
paying tax on my pensions it’s diabolical it appears that Labour
is taxing everyone for everything i am collecting air while it is
still free!
Not before time you,ve put it in over the years y not an you,ve been tax on it an taxed on time an time again an still paying tax on it y shouldn’t we be entitled to it these tossers on dole not all of them it’s become a job for them just sit on ur backside all day an get more money than me an worked all our lives an get far less than them who,s dickhead
This government is getting more communist every month , rob those who put a bit aside for their retirement to give to the idle who work the system and bleed it dry .
Look after the people who have kept the country going over the years, and stop wasting money on foreigners. Charity should begin at home.
Totally Agree with Mr T
Totally agree it’s a disgrace the way the government treat pensioners the very people who are responsible for the future generation that is here today and the very people who helped to put the government where they are too they should be commited to looking after the aged and stop letting old people freeze to death with thier saving money attitude towards them and thier increase in pension age its not right to punish old like they do
I wholeheartedly agree with all the above comments working hard all your life gets you less when your at pensions age I did not believe this when I was working but now it’s like a slap in the face
Yours fabian Rawlings birmingham
I have to work 4 days a week just to keep my head above water,I’m 68 and if I didn’t carry on working I wouldn’t be able to live……the pension is a joke,I’ve paid into the system since the early 1970s, it’s about time the government pulled their fingers out and give us something to look forward to…..
Give pensioners a big boost what they deserve in their retirement years 🙏
I too agree with the comments left here, if the state pension were to be raised to a decent living wage standard, this would eliminate a lot of worry for pensioners facing price rises, for heating, food and clothing, then there would be less need for pensioners to claim extra funding. Surely can’t this government see that.
Best news I’ve heard yet from the Labour government
Thank you Waspi pam for your appreciation
They are all the same..After the last kicking Labour would have said anything and done anything short of murder to win this time. There should be a law making all promises made before the election mandatory and if not fulfilled within a given time frame a. General election can be held at the request of the people unless good reasons,
acceptable to the voting public, are given. Or is that suggestion a bit too democratic for those who DO and those who HAVE professed to
represent us.
While so called Government Whips’ exist- how can democracy?
The whole system is rotten to the core. No-one is brought to book whenever there is any kind of scandal involving those In government there is always get out of jail free cards in abundance. If a burglar is caught can he give back the loot and nothing more is said? No..But look at the Expenses scandal in parliament. Just pay back that which you stole from the public purse and nothing more will be said.
As for the post office scandal..It is obvious that full and true justice will never prevail there either.
I shall be backing Reform. Worth giving them a chance..After all
What other choice do we have… More Labour lies? More Tory Tricks?
Liberal Looney’s?
There is one thing certain. Labour will ensure there’s no money left, Just. unsurmountable debt.
Well said Terry. Stealing from the public purse is a criminal offence, yet many MPs caught are not even arrested or punished . A far cry from the innocent postmasters and posmistresses who were quickly jailed and lost everything, even some their lives ,and they hadn’t even commented a crime . Immigration is now at destructive levels not just here but in the European Union too , its free movement of people is it’s achillies heal and it’s political elite are being slowly punished by the citizens at the polls, the only way we have to force change, kick those that fail into the long grass and vote for a political party that will stand up for its country, citizens and cultures . Net Zero is a target not a tax imposing asset stripping crippling burden to population. That realistically is unaffordable for most people to comply with ,exactly how are many people going to buy expenses electric cars , heat pumps etc when they simple don’t have the money or financial abilities to raise such funds . Is the government going to buy you an electric car if you can’t replace your petrol or diesel vehicles , or a complete house insulation and heating upgrade too . Good question to ask your local MP .
Pick on oaps & disabled people. This government is a disgrace. I’m 67yrs old & my pension only started last year when I was 66yrs old.. I’m claiming pip due to having cancer. I depend on my husband driving me to hospital & doctors appointments. As for them wanting to change pip & pay in vouchers is ludicrous. I have to have constant care since I had my operation. Vouchers would be no good to me for what I need!