The UK government DWP has made a big announcement in 2025 which has brought relief especially for the elderly. From 7 April 2025, pensioners receiving state pension will get an additional amount of £230 annually. This increase will be given through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and millions of retired people will benefit from it.
Now the question arises – why is this increase being given? Who will benefit from it? And are you also entitled to this £230 increase? Let’s understand in detail, in simple and conversational language.
What is this £230 pension increase?
Actually this amount of £230 is not a lump sum amount, but it is part of the annual increase in state pension. This time this increase has happened due to the “Triple Lock” rule.
The government adopts a policy to increase the amount of state pension every year which is called the Triple Lock system. The aim is to ensure that older people’s pensions grow in line with inflation over time, so that their lifestyles are not affected.
The Government has announced a 4.1% increase in pension amounts for the 2025-26 tax year. As a result, on average, each pensioner will receive £230 more per year.
What will the new pension rates be?
Below you can see what the current and new pension rates will be:
- Type of pension Current weekly rate New rate (from 7 April 2025) Annual increase
New full state pension £221.20 £230.25 £470.60 - Old (basic) state pension £169.50 £176.45 £361.90
Note: These figures apply to anyone who has paid full National Insurance (NI) contributions. If you have not contributed for the full period, you may get partial pension.
What is Triple Lock?
Triple Lock is a policy that is adopted to increase pension every year. Under this, the highest of the three increases is applied in the pension every year:
- Average Earnings Growth
- Inflation (CPI)
- Minimum increase of 2.5%
In 2025-26, the average salary increase was the highest – 4.1%. Therefore, on the basis of that, the pension was increased by 4.1%.
Who are entitled to this increase?
If you also want to know whether you will get this increase or not, then check the conditions given below:
✅ You are receiving state pension till 7 April 2025
✅ You have completed the state pension age (66 years)
✅ You have made sufficient contributions to National Insurance (35 years)
Even if you have not completed the full 35 years of NI record, you may still get some partial pension and this increase will also apply to it.
Check online:
- Go to the GOV.UK website
- Log in to the “Check Your State Pension Forecast” page
- Sign in with your Government Gateway account
You can see your complete pension record and estimated pension amount
Via post:
- Download the BR19 form from GOV.UK
- Fill it and send it to the given address
- You will receive a complete report by post in a few days
What to do if your pension is low?
If you checked and found that your pension is low, then there is no need to panic. The government has also given several solutions for this:
Fill Voluntary NI Contributions:
If you have not paid NI for some years, then you can buy contributions for previous years. This is the most straightforward way to increase your pension.
Example: Suppose you have paid NI for 30 years, whereas 35 years are required for full pension. You can get closer to a full pension by paying Voluntary NI for those 5 years.
Defer your pension:
If you want, you can put off taking your pension for a short time. In return, you will get a higher pension later.
Every 9 weeks you delay, your pension increases by around 1%
If you delay for a whole year, you will get around 5.8% more pension
Apply for Pension Credit:
If you have a very low income, you may be entitled to Pension Credit.
This will give you not only income support, but also a number of other benefits:
- Free NHS dental
- Help with electricity and gas bills
- Housing Benefit or Council Tax relief
What will the payment dates be?
The increased pension will come into effect from 7 April 2025. Pension payments come into your bank account once every 4 weeks.
Below is a look at the day you will receive your payment based on the last two digits of your NI number:
| Last 2 Digits of NI Number | Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
Conclusion:
The Government’s £230 per annum pension hike in 2025 is good news for pensioners. It’s not just an amount, but a sign that the Government is committed to maintaining the quality of life of the elderly.
If you are receiving a pension or are about to receive one, start today:
- Check your pension eligibility
- Understand your NI history
- Consider options such as voluntary contributions or deferrals
- Learn about Pension Credit
Not only will it help you get more money, it could also improve your financial situation.
FAQs
1. What is the £230 extra payment from DWP?
The £230 is an additional amount being offered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to eligible state pensioners as part of cost-of-living or seasonal support.
2. Who qualifies for the £230 extra payment?
Pensioners who receive the State Pension and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as receiving certain means-tested benefits or meeting age/income thresholds, may qualify.
3. Is this a one-time payment or ongoing support?
It is a one-time payment, not a recurring benefit. It is often paid as part of winter support, cost-of-living adjustments, or energy relief schemes.
4. When will the £230 be paid?
Payment dates vary depending on the specific scheme, but such payments are typically made between June and December, depending on eligibility assessments.
5. Do I need to apply for this £230 payment?
In most cases, no application is required. If you’re eligible based on existing benefits or age, the DWP will process the payment automatically.
