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Uprating guarantee for UK State Pension recipients living in the EU after Brexit

The government will continue to uprate the UK State Pension paid to people living in the EU each year for the next 3 years.

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Nearly half a million people living in the EU will continue to have their UK State Pension increased every year for the next 3 years in the event of a no deal exit from the EU, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd reveals today.

The UK basic and new State Pension is uprated by either 2.5%, average wage growth or by prices growth as measured by the Consumer Price Index – whichever is highest.

The UK State Pension has already been uprated in the EU for the year April 2019 to March 2020. The government has now committed to uprating the UK State Pension paid to those living in the EU each year until March 2023, in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Some of those living abroad will soon receive text messages to inform them of the commitment.

A new dedicated call centre team based in Newcastle has also been established in order to answers any questions from those affected.

Work and Pensions Secretary of State Amber Rudd said:

This government is working hard to prepare for leaving the EU on 31 October, whatever the circumstances. We will be fully ready for Brexit, and are leaving in a way that protects the interests of citizens here and in EU member states. This guarantee will provide reassurance to the hundreds of thousands of people living in the EU who receive a UK State Pension that their pensions will continue to rise significantly each year, however we leave.

During this 3-year period the UK government plans to negotiate a new arrangement with the EU to ensure that uprating continues.

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Published 1 September 2019