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The National Living or Minimum Wage Increase Due to Age Change Letter Template provides a clear way to notify an employee that their statutory minimum pay rate is increasing because they have reached a new age band. It explains the reason for the increase, the new rate of pay and when the change will take effect, giving the employee a clear written record of the change.
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This template brings together the key information, sections and considerations you need to create a clear, comprehensive and professional HR document. Preview the document below.
[Sender name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
National Living or Minimum Wage increase
[Option 1 – worker reaches the age of 21]
I'm writing to inform you that your rate of pay will increase to reflect your reaching the age of 21 on [date of birthday].
The National Minimum Wage rate that applies to workers aged 18 to 20 is £[amount] per hour. The National Living Wage rate that applies
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This letter is used when an employee becomes entitled to a higher statutory minimum wage because they have reached a new age band. The most common changes are when a worker reaches 18 and moves from the under-18 rate to the 18 to 20 rate, or reaches 21 and becomes entitled to the National Living Wage.
The letter provides the employee with a clear written explanation of why their rate is changing, what their new rate will be and when the increase will take effect.
The template can be used alongside payroll and HR records to communicate an age-related statutory pay increase before it takes effect. It gives the employee a straightforward record of the change rather than relying solely on the amount appearing on their payslip.
The HRDocBox template includes specific wording for employees reaching both 18 and 21, allowing the employer to select the appropriate option for the employee concerned. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The letter is suitable for employers, HR teams and managers responsible for communicating statutory pay changes. It is particularly useful where an organisation employs younger workers and needs a consistent process for monitoring age-related minimum wage changes.
The template is intended to be provided before the employee reaches the relevant age. HRDocBox recommends actioning or delivering the letter ideally no later than two weeks before the employee's birthday, giving the employee advance notice of the change. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Related HR resources and workflow
Explore the HR resources that may be relevant before and / or after using the National living or minimum wage increase due to age change letter, helping you understand the wider process, maintain appropriate documentation and follow a consistent approach.
Use this model young persons risk assessment to help identify any risks associated with a young person in the workplace, and implement safe working measures.
A regular performance appraisal or performance development review is important to keep track on the employee in terms of their performance against objectives or other standards, and to maintain their development.
Use these best practice actions, recommended timescales and process stages to understand when and how the National living or minimum wage increase due to age change letter should be used, helping ensure each step is handled consistently and appropriately documented.
Understand the common mistakes to avoid when using this HR template, helping you reduce risk, prevent unnecessary costs and ensure the process is handled correctly.
Workers generally move to a new statutory minimum wage rate when they reach age 18 or 21. The new rate applies from the first pay reference period that begins on or after the relevant date. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage rate is £12.71 per hour. The 18 to 20 rate is £10.85 and the under-18 rate is £8.00. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
The statutory requirement is to pay the correct minimum wage rather than to issue this particular letter. However, written notification is good HR practice because it clearly explains the change and gives the employee a record of their new rate.
HRDocBox combines deep HR knowledge, practical application and years of experience with UK employment requirements. This template gives you a focused document for a specific payroll and employee communication situation, rather than requiring you to build the wording from scratch.
AI can generate a basic pay-change letter, but the important part is getting the age threshold, applicable rate, effective date and payroll treatment right. HRDocBox provides a purpose-built template supported by UK employment-law knowledge and practical HR experience.
Yes. You can insert your own employee details, applicable rates, effective date and contact information. The underlying HRDocBox template includes separate wording options for employees reaching 18 and 21. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
How this content is developed and reviewed
The National living or minimum wage increase due to age change letter template is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.
Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director
Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.
He has extensive practical experience of managing pay and benefits processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.
HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.
"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."
"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."
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