DWP triple lock delay means pensioners likely won't receive state pension increase in April

State pensioners may experience a delay in receiving their triple lock increases in April, potentially having to wait until May. Despite the triple lock hike coming into effect with a £470 uplift from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), millions of pensioners waiting for next year's DWP increases may not receive them as promptly as expected.

This is owing to the fact that the Department for Work and Pensions typically pays most benefits, including state pension, in arrears. The new state pension, set to rise by approximately £475 per annum, is usually paid about four weeks in arrears.

This means pensioners probably won't see the extra £9 a week in their accounts until May. The state pension increases in April each year, based on a system known as the triple lock.

This ensures the increase will match the highest of three percentages: how much general living costs have risen by (inflation), based on the previous September's Consumer Price Index (CPI) OR the average wage increase from May to July of the previous year, or 2.5%. For instance, in 2024, the CPI rate was 1.7% and the average wage increase was 4.1%. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here

This means the state pension will increase by 4.1% in April, 2025. This takes the maximum from £221.20 to £230.25 per week, reports Coventry Live. If you reached state pension age before April 6, 2016, the full amount of basic state pension will increase to £176.45, up from £169.50. The triple lock applies to most state pension payments, but there are two exceptions that rise in line with CPI instead.

These exceptions include the additional state pension – a part of the old state pension that you might receive if you reached pension age before April 6, 2016, and any extra amount if you chose to delay taking your state pension – known as deferring.