August bank holiday triggers early payments
State pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their State Pension payment earlier than usual in August because the summer bank holiday falls on Monday, August 31. When a payment is due on a bank holiday or weekend, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues it on the earliest working day before.
For this bank holiday, all State Pension payments normally due on August 31 will instead be paid on Friday, August 28 – three days earlier. Pensioners do not need to take any action; the money will be paid directly into their bank, building society or credit union account.
Scotland sees no change
In Scotland, the summer bank holiday is on Monday, August 3, but pensioners there will still receive their payments as usual. The DWP told the Express: “Payments will still process as they do for other Scottish Bank Holidays. Government Banking have confirmed that Bacs does not close for Scottish only Bank Holidays. Scottish customers who would normally receive their payment on the 3rd will still receive it on the 3rd.”
How to check your payment day
Pensioners can find their usual State Pension payment day by looking at the last two digits of their National Insurance number:
- 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 holidays. In that case, payments will be made on the preceding working day: Friday, July 31 for Scotland, or Friday, August 28 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The DWP added: “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.”
