The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that state pensioners born after 1951 can receive an additional £2.41 per week by deferring their pension under a 'nine-week rule'. For every nine weeks of deferral, the pension increases by 1% for life.
How the deferral works
Under the 2026/27 rates, the full new State Pension is £241.30 per week. Deferring for nine weeks adds 1%, equating to an extra £2.41 weekly. The DWP states: 'You can get your deferred pension as an extra payment on top of your regular payment. You must defer claiming your State Pension for at least 9 weeks before you can claim increased regular payments.'
The DWP adds: 'For every 9 weeks you defer, you’ll get 1% added to your regular weekly pension payment for life. This works out as just under 5.8% for every 52 weeks (12 months) you defer.'
Examples of potential gains
If a pensioner receives the full new State Pension of £241.30 per week and defers for 52 weeks, they would receive an extra £13.99 per week (5.8% of £241.30). Deferring for 104 weeks (two years) would add £27.99 per week (11.6% of £241.30).
Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London, explains: 'For every nine weeks you defer claiming your State Pension, you’ll get an extra 1% of your pension amount added onto your regular State Pension payments for the rest of your life. For tax year 2026/27, this works out at an extra £2.41 a week if you’re entitled to the full new State Pension.'
Expert advice on deferring
Financial expert Martin Lewis, known from BBC and ITV, commented: 'Defer your state pension, and the maths works out that if you live longer than typical life expectancy, you'll gain; if you live less, you'll lose. Live a typical lifespan and it'll be pretty neutral.'
Lewis added: 'So if you're in poor health, it's not really worth considering. If you're in great health with a history of family longevity, deferring could be a winner. Otherwise the real issue is tax – if you're earning or have a decent income now, but'll pay tax at a lower rate later on, then deferring can be very worthwhile.'
Considerations for pensioners
The decision to defer depends on individual circumstances, including health and tax situation. Pensioners should weigh the potential long-term gains against immediate needs. The DWP notes that the deferral must be at least nine weeks to qualify for the increased payments, which are then added for life.
