State pension alert as 58,000 people sign petition for £549 weekly payments

14 May 2024 , 11:18

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A petition is calling for the state pension to be increased (Image: Getty Images)

A campaign that calls for £549 weekly state pension payments for everyone over 60 has attracted nearly 58,000 signatures.

The online petition is urging the UK Government to overhaul the current State Pension system and peg it to the National Living Wage. Michael Thompson, the man behind the petition, is calling for a "universal state pension" that would hand over a generous £549.12 each week to those aged 60 and above, matching 48 hours at the National Living Wage rate.

If the petition's demands are met, pensioners and those over 60 could be pocketing an eye-watering £28,554.24 annually. The state pension was increased by 8.5% from April 8, with retirees on the full new state pension now getting £221.20 a week, totalling £11,502 a year.

Those on the full old or basic state pension saw their weekly sum increase to £169.50, equating to £8,814 across the financial year 2024/25. The ambitious petition, titled "Offer the state pension to all at 60, increase to equal 48hrs at the Living Wage", can be found on the petitions-parliament website. It boldly states: "We want the Government to make the state pension available from the age of 60, and increase this to equal 48 hours at the National Living Wage."

It goes on to demand: "Hence from April 2024 a universal state Pension should be £549.12 per week or £28,554.24 per year as a right to all, age 60 and above." The petition is making waves, stating: "Government policy seems intent on the state pension being a benefit, while increasing the age of entitlement. We want reforms so the state pension is available from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage."

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It goes on to challenge: "If we can't pay a fair pension, then how can we afford foreign adventurism, nuclear weapons, armies, royals, pageantry, MP's salaries, etc?" For those not in the know, the state pension isn't just handed out - it's based on your National Insurance record. You need about 35 years' worth for the full new state pension, some people will need more.

A response from the Government on January 30 said: "The Government has no plans to increase the State Pension to equal 48 hours at the National Living Wage or to be made available from age 60." You can read the response in full on the petitions website.

Linda Howard