Close to half a million state pensioners in the UK are set to miss out on the promised £475 triple lock boost next year.
The increase, based on the 4.1 per cent wage growth element of the triple lock, will see the full new state pension rise by £9.10 per week to £230.30.
Expats, who reside in countries without a reciprocal pension agreement with Britain, have their pensions frozen at the rate when they left the UK.
The International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP) is campaigning to end this “frozen pensions” policy.
This is believed to affect approximately 453,000 pensioners in various countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notably, the policy impacts those who are eligible for both the basis and new state pension payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
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Next April, the basic state pension will also see a significant increase. It will rise by £6.95 per week, from £169.50 to £176.45. This equates to an annual increase of £362.65, bringing the total yearly pension from £8,844.30 to £9,206.495
For those on the full new state pension, the annual increase amounts to £474.85, with total payments rising from £11,502 to £11,975.60.
The “End Frozen Pensions” campaign, championed by the ICBP, aims to address the “injustice” faced by UK pensioners living abroad.
These expatriates receive a static state pension at the rate it was when they left the UK, disregarding their employment history and National Insurance contributions made in Britain.
John Duguid, the chair of the End Frozen Pensions campaign, highlighted the plight of Anne, a nearly 100-year-old pensioner and veteran who has been impacted by payments being “frozen”.
According to the campaign, she is prepared to travel halfway across the world to fight for others affected by this policy.
Duguid expressed hope that the Prime Minister would grant Anne’s wish, citing her wartime service and lifelong dedication to Britain.
He emphasised that Anne should not have to make this journey, underscoring the unnecessary suffering endured by affected pensioners.
Anne Puckridge is among the estimated 500,000 pensioners living with ‘frozen’ state pensions PADuguid said: “Every single one of us forgotten British overseas pensioners impacted by this cruel, outdated policy are immensely indebted to Anne for shedding light on this poorly understood scandal.”
“That she is prepared to travel halfway across the world, aged nearly 100, to fight for others is testament to her relentless drive and profound sense that it should not be this way.”
The campaign chair expressed hope that the Prime Minister would grant Anne’s wish, stating: “Out of courtesy for her wartime service, her lifelong dedication to Britain, and the suffering she has unnecessarily endured.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce changes to the pensions system in her upcoming Autumn Budget on October 30.