State pensioners born after 1951 (for men) or 1953 (for women) are set to receive an unexpected £965 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) next week, on Friday 31 July. This early payment arises from the adjustment of benefit dates due to the upcoming bank holiday in Scotland.
Bank Holiday Payment Adjustments
Benefit payments will generally go out as usual in August, but bank holiday dates vary by region. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland observe the Summer Bank Holiday on Monday 31 August, while Scotland marks it earlier on Monday 3 August. When a payment date falls on a bank holiday, it is typically made on the previous working day. Consequently, state pension payments due on Monday 3 August in Scotland will be paid on Friday 31 July.
State Pension Amount and Eligibility
The full new state pension is worth £965 per four-week payment period for those who reached state pension age after 6 April 2016. This applies to men born after 6 April 1951 and women born after 6 April 1953. The amount is paid directly into bank accounts, similar to other benefits, and is normally disbursed every four weeks.
Payment Schedule Based on National Insurance Numbers
The exact day a pensioner receives their state pension depends on the last two digits of their National Insurance (NI) number, as outlined by the DWP:
- 00 to 19: Monday
- 20 to 39: Tuesday
- 40 to 59: Wednesday
- 60 to 79: Thursday
- 80 to 99: Friday
DWP Guidance on Payments
In a statement, the DWP confirmed: "After you’ve claimed your State Pension you’ll get a letter about your payments. The new State Pension is usually paid into your account every 4 weeks. If you want to change the account, tell the Pension Service." The DWP added that different rules apply for those living abroad. When claiming, individuals can choose their start date, with the first payment arriving no later than five weeks after that date. Full payments follow every four weeks thereafter. The letter confirming the state pension payment will detail what to expect, including any partial payment before the first full amount.
