Next April's state pension expected

The first of the two numbers that set April's state pension has landed: wages rose 3.9% in the May–July window the triple lock measures. On the full new state pension of £241.30 a week that works out at about £250.70, or roughly £489 more across a year. It is not final — the figure is provisional and can be revised, and September's inflation, out in October, is set against it with the higher of the two winning. August inflation came in at 3.1%, so wages are ahead for now. Here is the part that matters and nobody announces: the full new state pension currently sits £22 below the frozen £12,570 personal allowance. A 3.9% rise would take it about £467 above. From next April the state pension alone would start using up your tax-free allowance, so any other income is taxed from the first pound.

Three numbers land in three days and they all reach your pocket. Tuesday the 15th: wage growth for May–July, which is one of the two figures that sets April's state pension rise. Wednesday the 16th: August inflation. Thursday the 17th at noon: the Bank Rate decision, which moves what savers are paid and what trackers cost. On the state pension, the triple lock quietly takes whichever is highest of wage growth, September's inflation and 2.5% — nobody announces the winner, but around 4% wage growth would add roughly £500 a year to the full new state pension.