A new petition is calling on the government to abolish the Basic State Pension and move 8.1 million pensioners to the New State Pension, which would increase to match average earnings of £722 per week
A new petition is calling on the UK Government to ‘abolish’ the Basic State Pension and transition all 8.1 million pensioners on that scheme to the New State Pension. The Basic State Pension is awarded to those who reached the official retirement age before April 6, 2016.
The petition’s creator, Michael Thompson, is also advocating for the New State Pension to rise to “a good percentage of average earnings”. He underscored how data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests that Britain’s average weekly earnings (AWE) were estimated at £722 in March 2025.
The full New State Pension currently stands at £230.25 per week, equating to £921 every four-week payment period. Under the proposals outlined in the e-petition, some 13 million pensioners would receive £722 per week, or £2,888 every month.
The “Increase New State Pension and pay to all, abolish the old Basic State Pension” petition has been uploaded to the Petitions Parliament website. If it gets 10,000 signatures of support, it would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, reports the Daily Record.
The petition says: “We think the government should put all our elderly onto the New State Pension, increase the New State Pension to a good percentage of average earnings and abolish the old ‘Basic State Pension’.
“We believe those on the Basic State Pension should be paid the difference accrued, since the New State Pension’s introduction, between the Basic State Pension and New State Pension. Britain’s basic State Pension is currently £176.45 per week. Britain’s New State Pension is currently £230.25 a week.
“Britain’s average weekly earnings (AWE) were estimated at £722 in March 2025, by the Office for National Statistics.”
State Pension uprating 2026/27
Millions of pensioners are set for a substantial State Pension boost next April following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ confirmation that payments for both the New and Basic State Pension will increase by 4.8 per cent, while additional elements will rise by 3.8 per cent, upholding the Triple Lock commitment.
The Triple Lock ensures the New and Basic State Pensions increase annually in line with whichever is highest amongst average annual earnings growth from May to July (4.8%), the CPI inflation rate in the year to September (3.8%), or 2.5 per cent. Additional State Pension components and deferred State Pensions rise annually with the September CPI figure.
A 4.8 per cent increase means those receiving the full New State Pension will get £241.30 per week, whilst those on the maximum Basic State Pension would receive £184.90 per week.
It’s crucial to note that the State Pension amount someone receives depends on their National Insurance contributions. Around 35 years’ worth are needed to receive the full New State Pension, though this may vary if you were ‘contracted out’.
From April 2026, the full New State Pension will see an increase of approximately £575, bringing it to £12,547 per year. This uprating leaves a mere £36 before the Personal Allowance income threshold of £12,570 is exceeded, which could result in more pensioners paying tax in retirement.
The Chancellor has also confirmed that the freeze on the Personal Allowance will be extended until April 2031.
