The UK Government changed the State Pension system, now called the Newly Retired State Pension, on 6 April 2016. These changes applied to anyone who reached State Pension age from then on. This includes men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953.

For those born before those dates who are recipients of a State Pension, known as the Basic State Pension and the Additional State Pension, they will remain on this system and get no extra money. For those on the Newly Retired State Pension (about 15% of recipients) they will receive weekly payments of £221.20.

While those on the Basic State Pension system (82-85% of pensioners) will continue to receive an unfairly lower figure of £169.50 per week (though they may receive additional income via the Additional State Pension). Those on the lower Basic State Pension can however, be eligible to claim various means tested benefits to raise their pension to £218.15 per week.

That however, remains £1,214.20 bellow the Wellbeing Pension per year and the wellbeing Pension is just enough to survive on and is not generous in any way.