Nearly half a million retirees excluded from state pension rise: 'We are left out of sight'

Those affected live in countries that do not have reciprocal social security agreements with the Government.

The Triple Lock guarantees that the state pension rises each year by the highest of average earnings growth, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation or 2.5 per cent.

For April 2026, earnings growth of 4.8 per cent, measured between May and July, has determined the increase.

Despite having paid the required national insurance contributions during their working lives, overseas pensioners in affected countries remain excluded from annual uprating.

Their entitlement is determined solely by where they live rather than their contribution record.

From April, pensioners in Great Britain receiving the full New State Pension will be paid £241.30 a week.

Those on the full Basic State Pension will see weekly payments rise to £184.90.

However, British pensioners living in countries such as Canada and Australia will not receive any uplift.

Their state pension remains frozen at the level it was when they left the UK, where in many cases, this freeze has been in place for decades.

Campaigners say the impact is severe, with nearly half of those affected receiving £65 a week or less.

They say some pensioners are living on as little as £20 a week.

The End Frozen Pensions campaign says around 86 per cent of affected pensioners were never informed that their pension would be frozen if they moved abroad.

By contrast, pensioners living in the EU or the USA receive the same annual increases as those who remain in the UK.

The policy has been the subject of sustained criticism from campaign groups.

The End Frozen Pensions campaign has gathered thousands of signatures on a petition calling for reform.

In one recent visit to Parliament, 100-year-old Second World War veteran Anne Puckridge met lawmakers to highlight the issue.

There had been hopes among campaigners that the appointment of Mark Carney as Canadian Prime Minister last year might prompt renewed discussions.

Canada is home to more than 100,000 affected British pensioners.

Despite repeated appeals, the Government has said it has no plans to change the policy.

The issue mainly affects pensioners living in Commonwealth countries.

Campaigners say this is particularly concerning given the UK’s historic links with those nations.

John Duguid, chair of the End Frozen Pensions campaign, criticised the Government’s position.

"The Chancellor found the words, and the money, to help protect pensioners from inflation at home, while offering nothing to the hundreds of thousands of British pensioners overseas whose incomes are being eroded year after year.

"Once again, we are left out of sight, out of mind and out of pocket."

Mr Duguid added that the situation was unfair given where many of the affected pensioners live.

"The fact that most of the affected countries are members of the Commonwealth adds insult to injury," he added.

Official Government figures suggest ending the freeze would cost £63million in the first year, and he said the policy represents "a gross injustice" for pensioners living abroad.