Basic and New State Pension payments increased last month by 10.1 per cent for some 12.6 million older people across the country, including around one million living in Scotland. The first payments after the uprating on April 10 were a mix of the old and new rates, with the full uplift expected in scheduled payments due this month.
The uprating means that those on the full New State Pension will see payments increase to up to £203.85 each week and those on the Basic State Pension get payments of up to £156.20. It's important to be aware that the amount someone receives depends on the amount of National Insurance (NI) contributions they have made - you need at least 10 years' worth for any of the contributory benefit and around 35 for the full amount.
New analysis from Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group highlights that the increases will also take more older people closer to the tax-free Personal Tax Allowance limit of £12,570.
