Younger state pensioners could receive up to £1,930.40 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in September 2026, as two basic state pension payments fall within the same month.
Those who retired after April 2016 can claim a maximum of £241.30 per week, provided they have a full National Insurance record. Since the new state pension was introduced in April 2016, when qualifying age was 66, the oldest new-state pensioners are now 77, depending on their birthday.
Why two payments fall in September
Although state pension figures are often quoted as weekly amounts, DWP payments are actually made every four weeks. That means new state pensioners can receive up to £965.20 per four-week period, assuming a full National Insurance record.
Payment dates depend on the last two digits of a person's National Insurance number. According to the DWP, those with NI numbers ending in 40 to 59 are normally paid on Wednesdays. September 2026 has five Wednesdays, so these pensioners will receive two payments in the month, totalling up to £1,930.40 from basic rate payments.
The same applies to Tuesdays, as September 2026 also has five Tuesdays. Pensioners normally paid on Tuesdays could receive two payments as well.
Impact on tax and future changes
Those with incomplete National Insurance records will receive lower payments, calculated by the DWP on a case-by-case basis when they reach state pension age.
The annual sum of basic rate state pension payments for a younger state pensioner is £12,547, which remains below the Income Tax threshold. However, any additional income, such as savings interest, work, or property rental, could push a pensioner into owing tax to HMRC.
The Chancellor has announced that state pensioners exceeding the £12,570 Personal Tax Allowance will not owe tax on their state pension, provided they have no other income. Details are yet to be confirmed by the Treasury, but the next Budget on October 28 is expected to clarify the specifics. The scheme was first announced by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to keeping the exemption in place.
