The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update following growing fears that the state pension could become means-tested.
It comes after speculation that future payments could depend on a person’s income or savings.
Labour has ruled out introducing means-testing for state pension payments, responding to parliamentary concerns about Conservative proposals for the contributory benefit.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden addressed the issue during Monday's departmental questions, after backbench MP Catherine Fookes raised alarm about comments made at the Conservative party conference.
The Monmouthshire MP highlighted how the shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury's suggestion of means-testing had worried constituents who had accumulated modest retirement savings.
Mr McFadden assured Parliament that restricting State Pension access based on income or assets does not form part of government policy.
During the exchange, Ms Fookes expressed constituents' fears about the Conservative proposal, stating: "At the Conservative party conference, the shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury called for the State Pension to be means-tested.
"This has caused deep concern to pensioners in Monmouthshire who have worked hard all their lives and built up modest savings. Under the Conservative party's plans, they would risk losing their state pension."
DWP issues update on plans to means-test state pension payments
| GETTYShe pressed for reassurance that pension entitlements would continue under Labour.
Mr McFadden responded directly: "I am happy to say that what (Ms Fookes) says about means-testing is not the Government's policy, but can the Conservatives confirm whether it is theirs?"
The Work and Pensions Secretary pressed shadow minister Helen Whately to clarify her party's position, asking: "The shadow Chief Secretary let the cat out of the bag. Can she confirm that this is not her policy, or is it that her leader still sticks to the position she set out earlier this year when she said: 'We are going to look at means-testing'. Are they still looking at it, or are they not?"
Whately avoided addressing the means-testing question directly, instead shifting focus to Labour's welfare policies.
Pensioners will receive a 4.8 per cent boost to their state pension from April 2026
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Retirement boost: Savers with £100,000 pension pot see £670 income rise – check how much you can getRachel Reeves urged to cut 25 per cent tax-free pension lump sum to £100,000 in BudgetState pension to hit £12k but older Britons will 'pay income tax' on payments from 2027Mr McFadden observed that the shadow minister "did not want to clarify the position on means-testing the state pension" whilst defending his government's employment support programmes.
Pensioners will receive a 4.8 per cent boost to their state pension from April 2026, following confirmation of the Triple Lock calculation.
The increase reflects earnings growth figures, which exceeded both September's inflation rate of 3.8 per cent and the minimum 2.5 per cent guarantee.
Rachel Reeves will formally announce the uprating at the Autumn Budget on November 26
| GETTYRecipients of the full new state pension will see weekly payments rise to £241.30, whilst those on the maximum basic state pension will receive £184.90 per week.
The uplift represents an annual increase of approximately £574 for full new state pension recipients, bringing the yearly total to £12,547.
Rachel Reeves will formally announce the uprating at the Autumn Budget on November 26.