£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.
How do we sign the petition
Hello Errol pollard,
You have to click on sign this petition button and register and sign this agreement.
Gold reserves the government could yous gold from reserves to cover so called black hole stop banging on about the mess the last goverment black hole labour has not help the people on benifits
Or jobless or homeless stop giving uther
Countries help out and help the people of UK labour was voted in by people of UK for the UK so I am calling for labour to go he his not doing anything for the people off the uk