Pensions and Social Security Benefits: Married People
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Benefit and Pension Rates 2026-27, updated on 16 February 2026, for what reason his Department has agreed a 4.8% uplift to the maximum weekly allowance for additional spouses; and how much that uplift will cost in 2026-27.
Answered by Torsten Bell
State pension and benefit rates are reviewed annually as part of the Secretary of State’s statutory up-rating duty. For 2026/27, Pension Credit-related amounts, including the Standard Minimum Guarantee, were increased by 4.8 per cent in line with the growth in average weekly earnings, reflecting statutory requirements to up-rate this element at least in line with earnings growth. The maximum weekly allowance for additional spouses forms part of this broader structure and was up-rated accordingly.
Under successive governments access to benefit support for additional spouses is only available where the marriage took place in a country where the practice is legal. In these exceptional cases there is no financial advantage as more would generally be paid if individuals claimed separately.
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