Government urged to increase State Pension to £610 a week for over-60s

Government urged to increase State Pension to £610 a week for over-60s A new petition is calling for the UK State Pension to be increased to £610 a week for everyone aged over 60, including Brits living abroad in retirement Fresh demands have emerged to boost the UK State Pension. An online petition is calling on the UK Government to increase State Pension payments to £610 per week for every person aged over 60, including British retirees living abroad. As reported by the Daily Record, petition organiser Denver Johnson is proposing raising payments to match 48 hours per week at the National Living Wage rate of £12.71 per hour. If the petition's recommendations were adopted, the 13 million people currently receiving the State Pension - along with those aged over 60 - would receive £2,440 every four-week payment period, amounting to £31,724 each year. Under the proposals, this increase would also apply to around 453,000 pensioners whose State Pension has been frozen at the level it was when they emigrated, due to the country they now live in not having a reciprocal agreement with the UK Government. The 'Give State Pension to all at 60 and increase it to equal 48hrs of Living Wage' petition has been published on the petitions-parliament website and states: "We want the Government to make the State Pension available from age 60 and increase it to equal 48hrs a week at the National Living Wage." The petition goes on to state: "We think that Government policy seems intent on the State Pension being a benefit not paid to all, while ever increasing the age of entitlement. We want reforms to the State Pension, so that it is available to all including expatriates, from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage, for security." Should the petition reach 10,000 signatures, it would guarantee a formal written response from the UK Government. Were it to hit 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee would then consider putting it forward for a full parliamentary debate. Annual State Pension uprating Under the Triple Lock measure, State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest of average annual earnings growth from May to July, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in the year to September or 2.5 per cent. The New and Basic State Pension increased by 4.8 per cent in April, which means someone on the full New State Pension now receives £241.30 a week, or £965.20 every four-week pay period. Those on the full Basic State Pension receive £184.90 each week, or £739.60 every four-week pay period. State Pension and tax Guidance on GOV.UK states: “You pay tax if your total annual income adds up to more than your Personal Allowance. Find out about your Personal Allowance and Income Tax rates. Your total income could include: - the State Pension you get - Basic or New State Pension - Additional State Pension - a private pension (workplace or personal) - you can take some of this tax-free - earnings from employment or self-employment - any taxable benefits you get - any other income, such as money from investments, property or savings Check if you have to pay tax on your pension Before you can check, you will need to know: - if you have a State Pension or a private pension - how much State Pension and private pension income you will get this tax year (April 6 to April 5) - the amount of any other taxable income you’ll get this tax year (for example, from employment or state benefits) You cannot use this tool if you get: - any foreign income - Marriage Allowance - Blind Person’s Allowance Use this online tool at GOV.UK to check if you have to pay tax on your pension. The full guide to tax when you get a pension can be found on GOV.UK here.