State pensioners born after 1951 are set to receive £965 in July from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as Sir Keir Starmer steps down as Prime Minister. Sir Keir will step down as the Labour Party leader in mid-July, with Andy Burnham widely expected to replace him. Ahead of his exit, Starmer's record as PM is being re-appraised, with supporters crediting him for maintaining the Triple Lock.
Pension Increase Details
In April, under Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the state pension rose by over four per cent, handing new full state pension claimants £965 a month with £241 weekly payment rates. At the time of the uplift, DWP boss Pat McFadden said: “I am pleased to announce that the basic and new State Pensions will be increased by 4.8%, in line with the increase in average weekly earnings in the year to May-July 2025. This delivers on our commitment to the Triple Lock, increasing these rates in line with the highest of growth in prices, growth in earnings or 2.5%. From April, the full annual rate of the new State Pension will increase by around £575. The full annual rate of the basic State Pension will increase by around £440.”
Payment Schedule and Eligibility
Payments in July will depend on your National Insurance number. The new state pension can be claimed by retirees born after 1951 for men, and 1953 for women. The DWP stated: “You’ll be asked when you want to start getting your State Pension when you claim. Your first payment will be no later than 5 weeks after the date you choose. You’ll get a full payment every 4 weeks after that. You might get part of a payment before your first full payment. The letter confirming your State Pension payment will tell you what to expect. The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance number. You might be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday.”
