Thousands of pensioners across the UK will find their bank accounts credited a day early this week, as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) adjusts payment schedules for the Christmas holidays.
Why Pension Payments Are Arriving Early
Due to the Christmas Day and Boxing Day bank holidays, any state pension payment normally scheduled for Thursday 25 December or Friday 26 December will instead be paid on Wednesday 24 December (Christmas Eve). This means recipients of the Basic State Pension, worth approximately £706 per month, will receive this sum a day earlier than usual.
The change also applies to the New Year period. As Thursday 1 January (New Year's Day) is also a bank holiday, payments due on that date will be made on Wednesday 31 December (New Year's Eve).
Who Qualifies for the Basic State Pension?
The Basic State Pension is for men born before 6 April 1951 and women born before 6 April 1953. To claim the full amount, you typically need 30 years of qualifying National Insurance contributions.
The pension is paid directly into a bank account every four weeks. Your specific payment day is determined by the last two digits of your National Insurance number:
- Codes 00 to 19: Paid on a Monday
- Codes 20 to 39: Paid on a Tuesday
- Codes 40 to 59: Paid on a Wednesday
- Codes 60 to 79: Paid on a Thursday
- Codes 80 to 99: Paid on a Friday
Understanding the State Pension Triple Lock
The State Pension increases at the start of each tax year (6 April) under the government's 'triple lock' policy. For the 2025/26 tax year, the full basic State Pension is £176.45 per week, a rise from the £169.50 per week paid in the 2024/25 period.
Pensioners are advised to check their bank accounts accordingly and budget for the slightly altered payment schedule over the festive period.
