State pension increase April 2027: triple lock figures
The UK state pension rises every April under the triple lock: it goes up by whichever is highest of earnings growth, September's inflation rate, or 2.5%. Two of those three numbers are already known for April 2027. The last one, September's inflation figure, is published on Wednesday 21 October 2026 (ONS).
The three numbers
| Measure | Figure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings growth (total pay, May to July 2026) | 3.9% | Published 15 September |
| CPI inflation, September 2026 | ? | Due 21 October |
| Floor | 2.5% | Fixed |
The earnings figure is total pay, including bonuses, from the ONS earnings release of 15 September. For comparison, CPI inflation was 3.1% in the 12 months to August 2026.
If the government applies the triple lock as promised, the rise will be at least 3.9%. The official rate is confirmed in the autumn. It would be higher only if September's CPI comes in above 3.9%.
What 3.9% would mean
These are our own estimates of a 3.9% rise, not official rates:
| Now (2026/27) | April 2027 at 3.9% | |
|---|---|---|
| Full new State Pension (reached pension age from 6 April 2016) | £241.30 a week | about £250.70 a week |
| Full basic State Pension (reached pension age before 6 April 2016) | £184.90 a week | about £192.10 a week |
Current rates from the DWP's benefit and pension rates for 2026 to 2027. At 3.9%, a full new State Pension would go up by about £9.40 a week, or roughly £490 a year. Your own amount depends on your National Insurance record.
What happens next
- 21 October 2026: the ONS publishes September's CPI inflation rate. The ONS usually releases it at 7 a.m. UK time.
- Autumn 2026: the government confirms the new rates for April 2027, usually alongside the Budget.
- April 2027: the new rates start with the 2027/28 tax year.
How the triple lock works
The triple lock has been in place since 2011. It uses the earnings growth figure for May to July and the CPI inflation figure for September, both from the year before the increase. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has a clear explainer on how it is calculated and what it costs.
Many working-age and disability benefits are usually raised in line with September's CPI figure too, which is why the 21 October release matters to many more people than pensioners.
Check your own forecast
You can see how much State Pension you could get, and when, with the free Check your State Pension forecast service on GOV.UK.
