State pensioners across the UK are receiving a cash boost this month following a 4.1% increase to State Pension rates from April 7. This change means those on the full new State Pension will now receive £230.25 per week, totalling £921 every four weeks. The full basic State Pension has also risen to £176.45 per week, or £705.80 monthly.
According to Express, more than 12 million pensioners are set to benefit from the annual rise. However, with the Easter bank holidays affecting payment schedules, some pensioners will receive their April payment earlier than usual—specifically on Thursday, April 17.
Who Will Be Paid Early and Why
The early payment applies to pensioners whose usual payment day would fall on either Good Friday (April 18) or Easter Monday (April 21). Instead of being paid late or on a non-working day, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will make these payments in advance to avoid delays.
Whether you’re affected depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number, which determine your regular payment day:
- 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
If your NI number ends in 00 to 19 or 80 to 99, and your pension would normally arrive on Monday or Friday, you can expect your next payment on Thursday, April 17 instead.
No Action Needed by Recipients
The DWP has reassured pensioners that no action is required. Payments will be automatically deposited into recipients’ usual bank, building society, or credit union accounts. The department clarified:
“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.”
This adjustment ensures pensioners have access to their money ahead of the long Easter weekend without interruption.
