DWP: 453k Brits to miss out on getting £470 pension rise - check if you're hit

Almost half a million Brits are set to miss out on the latest state pension increase despite having paid the necessary amount of National Insurance Contributions. The full New State Pension increased to £921 every four-week payment period while the full Basic State Pension rose to £705.80 after the 4.1% rise on April 7.

However, there was a catch affecting 453,000 pensioners that live outside the UK. It means they have not received the annual State Pension uprating, as reported by the . Over 100,000 expats in Canada are among those that missed out on the increases despite qualifying for pension benefits.

They are hoping that the recent election of Mark Carney as Prime Minister of Canada will help end the so-called "frozen pensions policy". He worked in the UK for several years and is likely to qualify for a UK State Pension despite living in Canada.

The End Frozen Pensions Campaign said Brits living abroad could have their State Pension frozen at the level is was when they first claimed it. This is part of the UK Government's long-standing policy which sees pensioners miss out on the annual payment increase because they retired overseas.

Those hit include mostly Commonwealth countries, including Canada and Australia. In comparison, people who retire to live in the USA or EU countries remain eligible for the State Pension increases.

Edwina Melville-Grey, Chair of End Frozen Pensions Canada, said: "We don't imagine for a moment that Mr Carney will be reliant on whatever UK State Pension he might be entitled to. However, we know for sure that many thousands of the UK State Pensioners living in affected countries, including those in Canada, see their UK State Pension as a vital lifeline helping them through arduous times.

"We know that he has many immense challenges on his desk right now and wish him well in meeting those. But we hope he will be able, when the time is right, to meet with our lead campaigner on this issue, 100-year-old Anne Puckridge. Her situation embodies the injustice of this scandal."

Anne, an 100-year-old Second World War veteran, travelled to meet Sir last December to discuss the issue but the Prime Minister declined the invitation. She has received a of just £72.50 per week for the last 24 years.

This is less than half the £176.45 she would be entitled to in April 2024 had she not left the UK at the age of 76. She worked in the UK for her whole life.

Other affected pensioners are worse off with half receiving £65 or less. Meanwhile, some get as little as £20 a week.

John Duguid, Chair of End Frozen Pensions International, said: "Simply more needs to be done to address the 'frozen' pensions policy in diplomatic settings, and the election of Mark Carney as Canada's Prime Minister paints the perfect opportunity to do so.

"The current political appetite surrounding trade and negotiations further reinforces the point that the cost to unfreeze pensions is extremely modest and will be an essential lifeline to many affected pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet."

Here is how much each state pension is now worth, according to the DWP.

Full New State Pension

• Weekly payment: £230.25 (from £221.20)
• Fortnightly payment: £460.50 (from £442.40)
• Four-weekly payment: £921 (from £884.80)
• Annual amount: £11,973 (from £11,502)

Full Basic State Pension

• Weekly payment: £176.45 (from £169.50)
• Fortnightly payment: £352.90 (from £339)
• Four-weekly payment: £705.80 (from £678)
• Annual amount: £9,175 (from £8,814)

Future State Pension increases

The Labour Government has pledged to honour the Triple Lock or the duration of its term and the latest predictions show the following projected annual increases:

• 2025/26 - 4.1%, the forecast was 4%
• 2026/27 - 2.5%
• 2027/28 - 2.5%
• 2028/29 - 2.5%
• 2029/30 - 2.5%.