A new petition is gaining momentum across the UK, calling on the government to overhaul the State Pension system. The demand? Abolish the outdated Basic State Pension and transition all 8.1 million recipients to the more generous New State Pension — while increasing it to better reflect average earnings.
With the cost of living rising and pensioners struggling to keep up, the call for pension fairness is getting louder.
Petition
The online petition, created by campaigner Michael Thompson, argues that pensioners deserve a fairer deal. His proposal is simple:
- Abolish the Basic State Pension
- Transition all pensioners to the New State Pension
- Increase payments to reflect a good portion of average earnings
The petition, hosted on the official Petitions Parliament website, will receive a government response if it reaches 10,000 signatures. And if it gets 100,000? It could even be debated in Parliament.
It’s already sparking conversation around the long-standing disparity between old and new pension systems.
Gap
Let’s break down the issue.
The Basic State Pension is paid to those who retired before April 6, 2016. Currently, they receive £176.45 per week. On the other hand, those who retired after that date and qualify for the New State Pension get £230.25 per week.
That’s a gap of nearly £54 per week – or around £216 a month.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Pension Type | Weekly Rate | Four-Weekly | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic State Pension | £176.45 | £705.80 | £9,176 |
| New State Pension | £230.25 | £921.00 | £11,973 |
So, people on the older pension system are left hundreds — even thousands — of pounds behind every year.
Earnings
The petition also highlights that average weekly earnings in the UK were £722 as of March 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Thompson believes the New State Pension should be increased to reflect a reasonable percentage of this figure.
Currently, the New State Pension is only about 32% of average earnings. If raised to match average earnings, it would mean a staggering £722 per week or £2,888 per month for retirees — an idea many might cheer for, but that could prove financially complex for the government.
Triplelock
Thankfully, pensioners are due a boost regardless. Thanks to the Triple Lock system, both the New and Basic State Pensions are set to increase by 4.8% in April 2026.
Here’s how the Triple Lock works:
- Increases by the highest of:
- CPI inflation (3.8% in Sept 2025)
- Earnings growth (4.8% from May–July 2025)
- Or 2.5% minimum guarantee
Because earnings growth was the highest figure, the 2026/27 pension increase will be based on 4.8%.
This means:
- New State Pension rises from £230.25 to £241.30 weekly
- Basic State Pension rises from £176.45 to £184.90 weekly
Boost
Here’s what the new payments will look like from April 2026:
| Pension Type | Weekly Rate | Four-Weekly | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| New State Pension | £241.30 | £965.20 | £12,547 |
| Basic State Pension | £184.90 | £739.60 | £9,614 |
That’s a £574 annual increase for New State Pension recipients. For those on the Basic Pension, the annual uplift is about £438.
While the rise is welcome, it still doesn’t bridge the gap between the old and new systems — which is exactly what the petition aims to address.
Tax
But there’s a catch.
The rise in pension income now means many retirees are inching closer to the tax threshold. With the Personal Allowance frozen at £12,570 until April 2028, pensioners receiving the full New State Pension in 2026/27 will only be £36 below the tax-free limit.
By 2027, they may actually go over — dragging many into the income tax net for the first time.
This has sparked fears of a ‘stealth tax’ on pensioners. Despite getting more money, some retirees will lose out through tax, especially if they have other income sources like savings, dividends, or private pensions.
Fairness
So, what’s the bigger issue?
Campaigners argue it’s not just about the increase — it’s about fairness. Pensioners on the Basic State Pension feel left behind. They’re not benefiting equally from recent rises or policy updates.
Michael Thompson’s petition is a clear message: treat all pensioners the same and raise the State Pension to a level that actually supports living in today’s economy.
It’s too early to say if the government will act, but this movement has definitely put the issue back on the national radar.
FAQs
What is the petition asking for?
It wants to abolish Basic State Pension and raise all pensions.
How much is the new State Pension in 2026?
£241.30 weekly or £12,547 yearly.
Why is the old pension lower?
It applies to retirees before April 6, 2016 and has lower rates.
What is the triple lock increase for 2026?
4.8%, based on average earnings growth.
Will more pensioners pay tax?
Yes, many will cross the £12,570 personal allowance threshold.
