State pensioners across the UK can get a £241 per week benefit from today, April 6, following a triple lock change. The new tax year begins on April 6 which means a swathe of benefits and pensions are being uplifted, giving claimants an extra boost of cash. The new State Pension rates are determined each tax year by the triple lock, which is based on the highest out of the three factors.

These are the consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation (measured for September in the previous year), average wage growth between May and July of the previous year, or 2.5%. As average wage growth was the highest out of these three factors at 4.8%, State Pension rates are rising by this amount from today, April 6.

The increase applies from this Monday and takes the new State Pension up from £230.25 per week to £241.30 – a weekly cash increase of £11.05.

Over a full year, this amounts to a total of £12,547.60 (up from £11,973 previously), giving pensioners on the full rate an extra £574.60 annually.

The figures are based on the maximum possible amount for those with a full qualifying National Insurance record, so those without enough qualifying years will receive less.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the government’s commitment to the triple lock means pensioners’ incomes will rise by up to £2,100 over this Parliament, and this year’s uprating will help millions across the UK facing cost of living pressures.

Commenting on the 4.8% increase from this Monday, Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “After a lifetime of work and contribution, people deserve a decent retirement.

“Raising the State Pensions faster than prices, ensuring it is a pension they can rely on, is how we make that a reality for millions.”

As for pensioners on the basic State Pension, rates have also gone up by 4.8% today from £176.45 per week to £184.90 – a weekly increase of £8.45.

Over a full year, this amounts to a total of £9,614.80 in pension payments (up from £9.175.40 previously), giving older pensioners on the full rate an extra £439.40 annually.

Men born before April 6, 1951, and women born before April 6, 1953, receive the basic State Pension, but the amount you get depends on your National Insurance record.

To get the full amount, a man born between 1945 and 1951 usually requires 30 qualifying National Insurance years, while men born before 1945 require 44 qualifying years.

For women, you’ll need 30 qualifying years if you were born between 1950 and 1953, or 39 qualifying years if you were born before 1950.

If you have less than the full number of qualifying National Insurance years then your basic State Pension will be less than £184.90 per week from Monday.