Frozen State Pension: which countries get yearly increases
Short answer
Your UK State Pension only gets yearly increases if you live in the EEA, Gibraltar, Switzerland or a country with a UK social security agreement that covers increases. GOV.UK says increases are not paid in Canada or New Zealand. Elsewhere the amount stays at the rate when you left or first claimed. It goes up to the current rate if you return to live in the UK.
Where your pension is uprated
GOV.UK states that your State Pension will only increase each year if you live in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar, Switzerland, or countries that have a social security agreement with the UK, “but you cannot get increases in Canada or New Zealand” (GOV.UK: How your pension is affected abroad). Countries outside these groups include many common destinations for UK retirees and for families with UK work history. Check the current list of agreement countries in DWP’s State Pension annual increases guidance before you move.
What “frozen” means in numbers
In the UK the new State Pension rises each year by the highest of earnings growth, CPI inflation or 2.5% (the triple lock) (GOV.UK: New State Pension – what you'll get). A frozen pension stays at the same cash amount.
| Situation | Weekly amount in 2026/27 | What happens in later years |
|---|---|---|
| Full new State Pension, living in the UK | £241.30 | Uprated each April |
| Full new State Pension, living in an uprating country | £241.30 | Uprated each April |
| Full new State Pension, moved in 2026/27 to a non-uprating country | £241.30 | Stays at £241.30 while you live there |
The frozen amount does not fall in pounds, but its buying power falls as prices rise. If you return to live in the UK, GOV.UK says your pension goes up to the current rate.
Should you still pay voluntary NI from abroad?
A frozen pension changes the value of each extra qualifying year, not the price. A year added under the simple 1/35 rule is worth about £6.89 a week at 2026/27 rates. Abroad in a non-uprating country, that £6.89 is not uprated. From 2026/27, voluntary Class 3 for periods abroad needs 10 years of UK residence or 10 qualifying years, and Class 2 is no longer available for time abroad (GOV.UK voluntary NI). See our guide to voluntary NI from abroad.
How you are paid abroad
- You must be within 4 months of State Pension age to claim. Claim through the International Pension Centre or its international claim form.
- Payment goes to a bank in your country of residence or a UK bank or building society. You can use an account in your name, a joint account, or someone else’s account with permission.
- Conversion to local currency uses the exchange rate at conversion, with a 0.39% conversion charge before payment.
- You can be paid every 4 or 13 weeks. If your pension is under £5 a week it is paid once a year in December.
- You must choose one country of payment. You cannot split the year between countries.
Life certificates and tax
DWP may send a life certificate that must be signed by a witness and returned, or payments can be suspended. On tax, GOV.UK says you may be taxed by the UK and your country of residence. Where there is a double taxation agreement, you pay tax on the pension only once. Report address or bank changes to the International Pension Centre by phone or in writing, not by email.
Example
Rehana reaches State Pension age in 2026 with 35 qualifying years and the full £241.30 a week. If she retires to a country without uprating, her pension stays at £241.30 a week while she lives there. If she later moves back to the UK, it goes up to the current UK rate. Before choosing between a UK bank and a local account, she compares the 0.39% conversion charge with her bank’s charges. On £241.30 a week the charge is about £0.94 a week.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries get State Pension increases?
The EEA, Gibraltar, Switzerland and countries with a social security agreement with the UK. GOV.UK says increases are not paid in Canada or New Zealand.
Does my pension go back up if I return to the UK?
Yes. GOV.UK says it goes up to the current rate if you return to live in the UK.
How often is State Pension paid abroad?
Every 4 or 13 weeks, or once a year in December if it is under £5 a week.
Is there a fee to be paid in local currency?
GOV.UK lists a 0.39% conversion charge before payment.
Sources
Official pages checked on 14 November 2026. Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027) unless stated.