A new online petition is demanding that the UK Government increase the State Pension to £610 per week for every individual aged 60 and over, including British pensioners living overseas. The proposal, reported by the Daily Record, was launched by petition organiser Denver Johnson and is based on paying the equivalent of 48 hours per week at the National Living Wage rate of £12.71 per hour.
Proposed Payment Levels
If implemented, the change would mean that the approximately 13 million people currently receiving the State Pension, along with those aged over 60, would receive £2,440 every four-week payment period, totalling £31,724 annually. The increase would also extend to roughly 453,000 pensioners whose State Pension has been frozen at the level it stood when they moved abroad, due to a lack of reciprocal arrangements between their new country of residence and the UK Government.
Petition Details and Goals
The petition, titled 'Give State Pension to all at 60 and increase it to equal 48hrs of Living Wage', has been published on the petitions-parliament website. It states: "We want the Government to make the State Pension available from age 60 and increase it to equal 48hrs a week at the National Living Wage." The petition continues: "We think that Government policy seems intent on the State Pension being a benefit not paid to all, while ever increasing the age of entitlement. We want reforms to the State Pension, so that it is available to all including expatriates, from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage, for security."
Should the petition accumulate 10,000 signatures, it would secure a formal written response from the UK Government. If it were to reach 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee would then deliberate over whether to put it forward for a full parliamentary debate.
Current State Pension Levels
Under the Triple Lock mechanism, State Pensions increase each year in line with whichever is the highest of average annual earnings growth from May to July, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in the year to September, or 2.5 per cent. The New and Basic State Pension increased by 4.8 per cent in April 2026. Consequently, someone on the full New State Pension now receives £241.30 a week, or £965.20 every four-week pay period. Those on the full Basic State Pension receive £184.90 each week, or £739.60 every four-week pay period.
State Pension and Tax Implications
Guidance on GOV.UK states: "You pay tax if your total annual income adds up to more than your Personal Allowance. Find out about your Personal Allowance and Income Tax rates." Your total income could include the State Pension (Basic or New State Pension), additional State Pension, a private pension (workplace or personal, part of which can be taken tax-free), earnings from employment or self-employment, any taxable benefits, and other income such as from investments, property, or savings. The government provides an online tool to check if you have to pay tax on your pension, but it cannot be used by those receiving foreign income, Marriage Allowance, or Blind Person’s Allowance.
