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The State Pension has increased by 4.8% this week giving a £48-per month boost for millions of retirees. The uplift was introduced on Monday, April 6, in line with wage growth as part of the Triple Lock Guarantee. It saw the full rate of the new State Pension rise from £230.25 to £241.30 a week, an additional £11.05.

Over the 52 weeks of the year this comes to an extra £574.60. Divided by 12 months that's £47.88. However, it's worth noting that this level of increase if for people who receive the full New State Pension. The amount you'll get depends on your National Insurance record. It may be lower depending on if you were contracted out before 2016, the number of National Insurance qualifying years you've built up, and if you paid into the Additional State Pension before 2016.

You can check your State Pension forecast on the UK Government website to find out how much you could be entitled to once you reach State Pension age (66 or 67 depending on which age bracket you fall into).

The tool also lets you look at your National Insurance record. The full basic State Pension also rose in line with the triple lock with weekly payments jumping from £176.45 to £184.90.

Meanwhile, Pension Credits also increased from Monday thanks to the Triple Lock. The means tested benefit is designed to help those over State Pension age and on a low incomes with living costs with a weekly top up.

Additionally, Pension Credit can soften the blow of housing costs such as ground rent or service charges, by factoring your home into the benefit award calculation.

When you apply for Pension Credit the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) calculates your income, calculating couples' income together in joint pot, the UK Government website explains.

For the previous 2025/2026 financial year Pension Credit topped up your weekly income to £227.10 for single people, and £346.60 if you have a partner.

But from the start of this week it's been upped by 4.8% to £238 if you're single, and £363.25 for couples. This is known as the Standard Minimum Guarantee.

Incomes are caculated against these thresholds, with the DWP providing the difference if you fall below that.

However, even if your income exceeds these benchmarks, you may still be able to claim Pension Credit as part of the Guarantee Credit element of the benefit.