The Department for Work and Pensions has been urged to increase the full state pension to £14,560 a year, aligning it with the National Minimum Wage paid to workers under 18. A petition on the Parliamentary website, created by Richard Sobey MBE, argues the state pension should match the minimum legal earnings for younger workers.
The petition states that the minimum the DWP pays out for the state pension "should equal the National Minimum Wage for under 18s." It highlights that the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over now stands at £23,132 per year, based on a 35-hour week over 52 weeks, while the National Minimum Wage for under-18s is £14,560 on the same basis.
Petition creator says £12,564 pension is unfair
Richard Sobey MBE, who created the petition, says his full New State Pension is only £12,564 after working for a lifetime. He argues that for people aged 65 and over, a minimum UK standard of living is £14,500, and the state pension should match this figure.
The petition points out that the full New State Pension lags behind those in Europe, with the UK ranking only 13th out of 28 countries. It also notes that even an apprentice or under-18 worker is now legally entitled to earn at least £14,560 per year, while 18 to 20-year-old workers have a National Minimum Wage of £19,747 per annum.
Petition passes 10,000 signatures, government must respond
The petition argues that for those who have worked and paid National Insurance and taxes all their lives, a full state pension of £12,564 is "just not fair and equitable." It calls for the state pension to be at least £14,500, which it says is necessary for a minimum standard of living for retirees.
Having already gathered more than 10,000 signatures, the petition has triggered a mandatory government response. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament. The petition remains open until 28 January 2027.
State pension spending projected to reach £169bn by 2030
In the 2025-26 tax year, state pension payments totalled approximately £146.1bn, according to official figures. The Department for Work and Pensions expects state pension spending to rise to £169bn by 2030.
The petition comes amid concerns about the long-term sustainability of the state pension. In July 2025, then Office for Budget Responsibility chair Richard Hughes said "uncertainty around the operation of the triple lock" is an "important source of fiscal risk," a comment that underscores the broader financial pressures facing pension policy as the petition gains traction.
