State pensioners across the UK will get a cash boost this month as new payment rates take effect – with some set to receive their cash before Easter.

The State Pension has increased by 4.1% from April 7, in line with the annual increase in the Average Weekly Earnings index for May to July 2024. The government has said more than 12 million pensioners will benefit from the new rates, with those who get the full new State Pension getting up to £470 extra per year, while the full basic State Pension will be worth £360 extra annually. As the State Pension system is split into two schemes – basic and new – the amount pension payments will increase this month will depend on when you retired.

Men born before April 6, 1951, and women born before April 6, 1953, receive the basic State Pension

The State Pension is paid every four weeks, so pensioners on the basic State Pension who get the full rate will get £705.80 per month.

Men born on or after April 6, 1951, and women born on or after April 6, 1953, get the new State Pension, which has increased from £221.20 per week to £230.25 if you get the full rate – a weekly increase of £9.05. Those on this pension who get the full rate will get £921 per month.

As two bank holidays fall in April due to Easter, pensioners whose usual paymen date falls on either Good Friday or Easter Monday will receive their payments earlier than normal.

Those who are expecting a payment on April 18 (Good Friday), or on April 21 (Easter Monday), will instead receive their money from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on Thursday, April 17.

Pensioners can determine their usual State Pension payment day by looking for the two-digit code at the end of their National Insurance number, as this specifies the date on which payments are normally issued. This is how National Insurance numbers correspond to payment days:

• 00 to 19 – paid on Monday
• 20 to 39 – paid on Tuesday
• 40 to 59 – paid on Wednesday
• 60 to 79 – paid on Thursday
• 80 to 99 – paid on Friday

So if your National Insurance number ends in 00 to 19, or 80 to 99, it means your usual payment normally falls on a Friday or a Monday. As such, this may correspond with the Easter bank holiday dates and if so, you will be paid earlier than normal on Thursday, April 17.

If your State Pension payment date is changing this month you don’t need to do anything as your money will be paid straight into your usual bank, building society or credit union account.

The DWP explains: “Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.”