The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be sending early payments of up to £739 to some older state pensioners before August. The early payments are due to the August summer bank holiday, which falls on Monday, August 3 in Scotland, four weeks earlier than the rest of the UK.
When benefit payments, including the State Pension, are due on a bank holiday, the DWP usually issues the payment on the earliest working day before. Scottish pensioners expecting their basic State Pension on Monday, August 3 will instead receive it on Friday, July 31, three days earlier than normal.
Payment amounts and eligibility
The basic State Pension is worth up to £184.90 per week at the full rate, following a 4.8% uplift on April 6. Since the State Pension is paid every four weeks, pensioners receiving the full basic State Pension can get up to £739.60 per payment period. This amount depends on having a full National Insurance record; those with fewer qualifying years receive less.
Bank holiday dates across the UK
For pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the summer bank holiday falls on Monday, August 31. Those expecting a basic State Pension payment on that date will be paid on Friday, August 28, the earliest working day before.
The DWP confirmed: “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.”
How to find your payment day
Pensioners can determine their usual State Pension payment day by the two-digit code at the end of their National Insurance number. The code corresponds to the payment day as follows:
- 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 National Insurance number ends in 00 to 19, your usual payment day is Monday, which may coincide with the August bank holiday. If your payment date changes, you do not need to take any action; the money will be paid into your usual account.
The DWP added: “You’ll be asked when you want to start getting your State Pension when you claim. Your first payment will be no later than 5 weeks after the date you choose. You’ll get a full payment every 4 weeks after that. You might get part of a payment before your first full payment. The letter confirming your State Pension payment will tell you what to expect. The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance number. You might be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday.”
