A bold proposal is gaining ground in the UK that could transform retirement for millions. A petition calling for a dramatic rise in the State Pension to £549 per week for everyone aged 60 and above—including those living abroad—is gaining public attention as the July 2025 deadline approaches. The movement, led by campaigner Denver Johnson, argues that the pension should be aligned with the current National Living Wage to ensure retirees can maintain a decent standard of living.
If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures by 26 July 2025, Parliament will be required to consider it for debate—opening the door to a potential overhaul of the UK’s retirement income structure.
Table of Contents
Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Proposed pension rate | £549 per week (based on 48 hours at £11.44/hr) |
| Annual pension total | Approximately £28,554 |
| Current New State Pension (2025) | £230.25 per week |
| Number of expat pensioners affected | About 453,000 with frozen pensions |
| Petition deadline | 26 July 2025 |
| Goal if 100,000 signatures reached | Consideration for Parliamentary debate |
£549 Weekly State Pension
At the heart of the petition is a call to raise the State Pension to match 48 hours of work at the current National Living Wage. With the wage set at £11.44 per hour, this would amount to £549.12 per week or just over £28,550 a year. This proposed change significantly overshadows the current pension levels and is seen as a way to realign retirement income with real-world costs, rather than treating pensions as minimal state support.
The campaign also includes a push to lower the qualifying age for State Pension to 60, reversing the trend of rising retirement ages in the UK.
What the Petition Demands
The proposal doesn’t just focus on UK residents. A significant part of the petition calls for fairness for British pensioners living abroad. Roughly 453,000 expats currently receive frozen pensions because of a lack of social security agreements with their countries of residence. These individuals, who contributed to the UK system during their working years, are excluded from annual pension increases. The petition aims to fix that.
Key Demands
| Demand | Explanation |
|---|---|
| £549 weekly for all aged 60+ | Match State Pension to 48-hour pay at National Living Wage |
| Lower State Pension age to 60 | Provide earlier access to support in later life |
| Include overseas pensioners | End frozen pension rules affecting 453,000 British expats |
| Link pension to Living Wage | Ensure pensions grow alongside real wage increases |
| Reform pension perception | Treat pension as a right, not just a limited benefit |
Current Pension Rates
Despite the government’s Triple Lock guarantee, which ensures that pensions rise each year by the highest of inflation, average earnings, or 2.5%, the current amounts still fall far short of the proposed £549 weekly payment. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of existing pension rates and the campaign’s demand:
| Pension Type | Weekly (2024–25) | Weekly (from April 2025) | Annual (2024–25) | Annual (2025) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New State Pension | £221.20 | £230.25 | £11,502 | £11,973 | +£473.60 |
| Basic State Pension | £169.50 | £176.45 | £8,814 | £9,175.40 | +£361.40 |
| Proposed Amount | — | £549.12 | — | £28,554.24 | +£16,581.24 |
Even after the 2025 increase, the difference between what pensioners receive and what the petition demands is substantial—more than double in most cases.
Why Link Pension to the Living Wage?
Supporters of the campaign argue that linking pensions to the National Living Wage provides a more accurate reflection of modern living costs. As wages rise with inflation and productivity, pensions would increase accordingly—offering retirees a more secure and dignified lifestyle. It would also remove some of the uncertainty and political wrangling associated with annual pension reviews.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is required to respond to the petition after surpassing 10,000 signatures, which it already has. However, that does not guarantee action. Only after reaching 100,000 signatures would the issue be considered for Parliamentary debate. From there, any changes would still require broader political and financial approval.
FAQs
Q1: Can UK citizens abroad sign the petition?
A = Yes, British citizens and UK residents are eligible to sign, even if living overseas.
Q2: Does the petition guarantee a pension increase?
A = No, but reaching 100,000 signatures ensures the issue can be debated in Parliament.
Q3: Will this benefit expats with frozen pensions?
A = Yes, if successful, the proposal seeks to unfreeze pensions for 453,000 expats.
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