Pensioners will never pay tax on their state pension under his government if it wins the next election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised today.
Having already guaranteed to maintain the “Triple Lock” if he is returned to power, Sunak added that the personal allowance for pensioners would increase by at least 2.5% or in line with the higher of earnings or inflation.
Currently, state pensions rise by whatever is the higher of average earnings, wages or by 2.5% - the “Triple Lock”.
After the surge in inflation last year this year’s rise was 8.5% and on current trends, the state pension is on track to exceed the minimum threshold for paying income tax by 2027.
Sunak said raising the threshold level so the state pension is always below would save pensioners £275 by 2020.
According to the Conservatives, the cost will be £2.4bn a year by 2029-30, funded by better tax collection and a crackdown on evasion.
Sunak said: "I passionately believe that those who have worked hard all their lives should have peace of mind and security in retirement.
"Thanks to the Conservatives' Triple Lock, pensions have risen by £900 this year and now we will cut their taxes by around £100 next year.
Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves called the scheme a "desperate gimmick".