A nationwide petition in the UK is calling for a major boost to the State Pension—raising it to £549 per week for everyone aged 60 and above, including British pensioners living overseas. Launched by campaigner Denver Johnson, the movement argues that pensions should reflect real living costs and be tied to the National Living Wage. With over 22,649 signatures already gathered and a looming 26 July 2025 deadline, the campaign is gaining serious momentum. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, the proposal will be eligible for debate in Parliament.
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Proposed Weekly Pension | £549.12 – equivalent to 48 hours at £11.44/hour |
| Proposed Annual Pension | £28,554.24 |
| Current State Pension | £230.25/week from April 2025 |
| Affected Expats | 453,000 with frozen pensions |
| Petition Deadline | 26 July 2025 |
| Parliamentary Threshold | 100,000 signatures for debate eligibility |
£549 Weekly State Pension
The petition demands that the State Pension be raised to £549.12 per week—this is based on 48 hours of work paid at the current National Living Wage of £11.44 per hour. That translates to a yearly income of £28,554.24 for pensioners, significantly higher than current rates.
According to campaigners, the State Pension should not be treated as a limited benefit. Instead, they argue it should reflect the actual cost of living and provide adequate support to retirees who often face rising prices with limited income options.
Eligibility
The proposal aims to benefit:
- Everyone aged 60 and over living in the UK.
- British pensioners living overseas, many of whom currently have their pensions frozen due to the lack of social security agreements between the UK and the country in which they reside.
An estimated 453,000 British expats would be affected by this inclusion, addressing a long-standing issue that many have called unfair and discriminatory.
Current Pension Rates vs. Proposal
Despite recent increases under the Triple Lock—which ensures State Pensions rise by the highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%—the current amounts fall short of the proposed £549 per week.
Comparison Table
| Type | Weekly Rate (2024–25) | Weekly Rate (April 2025) | Annual Rate (2025) | Gap from £28,554 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New State Pension | £221.20 | £230.25 | £11,973 | -£16,581 |
| Basic State Pension | £169.50 | £176.45 | £9,175.40 | -£19,378.84 |
Even with the April 2025 rise, the current State Pension system provides far less than the proposed amount.
Key Demands of the Petition
The petition highlights several core reforms aimed at reshaping retirement support in Britain:
- Lower Pension Age: Reduce eligibility age for State Pension to 60.
- £549 Weekly Pension: Match retirement income to 48 hours of pay at the National Living Wage.
- Inclusion of Expats: End the pension freeze for Brits living abroad.
- Wage-Linked Pension Growth: Ensure pensions increase alongside living wages annually.
- System Overhaul: Shift the view of pensions from minimal benefit to essential income.
Supporters argue that these changes would provide dignity and financial security to retirees, especially in the face of rising living costs.
Why Link Pensions to the National Living Wage?
Supporters of the proposal argue that tying the State Pension to the National Living Wage is a fairer, future-proof solution. As working wages rise with inflation and economic changes, pensions should rise too—maintaining their real-world value and helping pensioners keep up with costs.
This shift would also move pension policy away from reactive political adjustments and instead provide a structured, wage-based system. Advocates believe this could prevent long-term stagnation of pension income
FAQs
Q1: Who can sign the petition?
A: Any UK resident or British citizen can add their signature.
Q2: Will pensioners living abroad be included?
A: Yes, the petition seeks to unfreeze overseas pensions and include them in the rise.
Q3: Does the petition guarantee reform?
A: No, but hitting 100,000 signatures allows it to be debated in Parliament.
