# John Healey just changed the state pension rules – and he’s made it really complicated

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/john-healey-just-changed-the-state-pension-rules-and-hes-made-it-really-complicated/
- Published: 2026-11-05T07:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T07:21:11+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Express (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2263165/john-healeys-pension-tax-allowance-nightmare-what-you-need-to-know
- Topics: World

## Key points

- The state pension will exceed the frozen personal allowance next April.
- A new relief of up to £94 tapers out at £13,319 income.
- Critics warn a small income difference can mean losing all support.

## Summary

The full new state pension is due to rise by 3.9% next April to £13,036.40 a year, exceeding the frozen £12,570 personal allowance for the first time. To prevent some low-income pensioners paying tax on their state pension, John Healey has introduced a Pension Tax Allowance, though critics say its design creates confusing rules and gaps in support.

The allowance is intended to give up to £94 in relief to people with total income between £12,570 and £13,037, then taper by £1 for every £3 of extra income, disappearing at £13,319. HMRC will apply it automatically, and the measure is expected to cost £45 million in its first year and run for three tax years to April 2030 before review. One example cited is a pensioner with income of £13,324 who misses the cut-off by £5 and faces a £150.80 tax bill; savings interest may count towards the income test, while ISA income does not.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.