Expats with full state pensions linked to the cost of living will pick up a £220 a year rise from April 2019.
Despite a fall in inflation, the government’s triple lock guarantee has assured an increase in line with rising average earnings.
The triple lock offers an annual state pension increase of 2.5% or a rise in line with inflation or average earnings.
Inflation was clocked at 2.4% in September 2018 – the month the figures for the increase are taken.
Average earnings were running at 2.6%, which as the highest amount of the triple lock selection, is the level by which the state pension will go up.
From April 2019, the full state pension will be £168.60 a week or £8,767.20 a year compared to the current £164.35 a week or £8,546.20 a year.
However, the increase will only be paid to expats in the EU and countries with a reciprocal social security benefit treaty with the UK.
Elsewhere, expat state pensions are frozen at the level of the first payment received.
To find out how to claim your uk state pension as an expat read this article
Expat right to vote closer
Long-term expats are edging closer to win the right to vote in British Parliamentary elections.
Expat champion Glyn Davies MP is shepherding his private members bill through Westminster to the latest committee reading.
The Overseas Electors Bill has won wide support from the government and MPS and is expected to become law next year.
The provisions remove the ban on expats taking part in British elections when they have spent more than 15 years overseas.
Injustice put right
Around 5 million British expats would be eligible to vote in elections under the bill – but many already have a vote as they have lived overseas for less than 15 years.
Labour’s Shadow cabinet office minister Jo Platt said ending the limit would create administrative challenges, placing “a serious strain” on resources, for local authorities already experiencing considerable cuts.
The Electoral Commission has warned that giving the vote to more British citizens could “add strain to already stretched resources,” she added.
Cabinet minister Chloe Smith said the legislation “puts right an injustice”.
Montgomeryshire MP Mr Davies said expat voters “should be recognised as an integral part of our democracy”.
