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State Pensioners across the UK will benefit from an income boost this May as new payment rates take effect.

The State Pension increases at the start of every new tax year on April 6 and the amount that rates go up is determined by the highest out of three factors, known as the 'triple lock'. These are the consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation (measured for September the year before), average wage growth between May and July of the previous year, or 2.5%. This year, both the basic and new State Pension have been uprated by 4.8%, in line with average wage growth, as this was the highest out of the triple lock factors. But because the new tax year begins on April 6, some pensioners don't actually get a full month on the new rates until May.

As such, May is the first month of the year where many state pensioners will fully benefit from the 4.8% upflift. For example, if your pension was paid between April 1 and April 6, you won't have received the new higher rate, but every pension payment in May will be at the new amounts.

As the State Pension system is split into two schemes - basic and new - the amount your pension payments will increase in the 2026/27 tax year depends on when you retired.

Men born before April 6, 1951, and women born before April 6, 1953, receive the basic State Pension and will benefit from a 4.8% increase to payments in the new tax year.

As of April 6, the full basic State Pension is now worth £184.90 per week, up from £176.45, giving pensioners a weekly payment boost of up to £8.45.

Over a full year this amounts to a maximum of £9,614.80 in pension payments, up from £9.175.40, giving those eligible for the full rate an extra £439.40 annually.

Of course, you need to have a certain number of qualifying years of National Insurance to get this full amount, which for a man is usually 30 qualifying years if you were born between 1945 and 1951, or 44 qualifying years if you were born before 1945.

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 in the 2026/27 tax year.

Men born on or after April 6, 1951, and women born on or after April 6, 1953, are eligible to claim the new State Pension which has aso increased by 4.8%.

As of April 6, the full new State Pension is now worth £241.30 per week, up from £230.25, giving pensioners a weekly payment increase of up to £11.05.

Over a full year this amounts to a maximum of £12,547.60 in pension payments, up from (£11,973 previously, giving pensioners eligible for the full rate an extra £574.60 annually.

Commenting on the April increase, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: "I know global shocks, and the effects they have on our living costs, will be increasing anxiety for many households.

"This government will always protect our pensioners, and that's why we are raising the full rate of new State Pension by up to £575 this coming year."

The standard minimum guarantee for Pension Credit has also increased by 4.8% from April 6, and according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the benefit is now worth an average of £4,300 per year.

As of April 6, the single weekly rate has gone up from £227.10 per week to £238, giving claimants up to £10.90 extra per week, or £566.80 more per year.

The joint weekly rate has increased from £346.60 per week to £363.25, giving claimants up to £16.65 more each week, or £865.80 extra annually.

The DWP said in April: "The Government has already delivered above-inflation increases worth up to £395 in real terms over this Parliament. By its end, pensioners' annual incomes are expected to rise by up to £2,100 - boosting financial security for millions.

"Pension Credit will also rise by 4.8% and be worth an average of £4,300 a year, unlocking further support including help with housing costs, council tax and free television licenses. Between 2026 and 2027, the government will provide a £6 billion boost to spending on State Pensions and pensioner benefits."