The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is making important changes to the payment schedule for state pensioners in the coming month.
If you’re one of the thousands of older Britons who rely on the state pension, it’s crucial to know when you will receive your payment in May. The reason? The upcoming May bank holidays are affecting the usual schedule.
In 2025, there are two bank holidays in May. The Early May Bank Holiday falls on Monday, May 5, and the Spring Bank Holiday will be observed on Monday, May 26. As a result, pensioners whose payments fall on these dates will see a change in when they get their money.
Let’s break down how these changes work, when you’ll receive your state pension, and why it’s important to pay attention to your payment schedule.
What Happens If You Receive Your Pension on a Bank Holiday?
Typically, the DWP pays state pensions on the same day each week. However, when a bank holiday falls on the usual payment day, the DWP adjusts by paying out earlier. In this case, the state pensioners who are due payments on May 5 and May 26 will receive them a few days before the actual bank holiday.
State pension payments are usually issued a day before the bank holiday, and in the case of these two May holidays, you will receive your pension on Friday, May 2, and Friday, May 23, instead.
These changes are only for the two specific May bank holidays. Once the holidays are over, the payments will resume on the normal schedule.
How to Know If You Are Affected?
To know whether these changes affect you, you need to check the two-digit code associated with your national insurance number.
This code determines when your state pension is paid, and it is tied to the last two digits of your National Insurance number. Here’s how it works:
- If your last two digits are between 00 and 19, your payment is made on Monday.
- If your last two digits are between 20 and 39, you’ll receive your payment on a Tuesday.
- If your last two digits fall between 40 and 59, you’ll get your payment on a Wednesday.
- Payments for pensioners with the last two digits between 60 and 79 are made on Thursday.
- Those with the last two digits between 80 and 99 will see their payment on Friday.
So, for example, if your two-digit code is 02, you’ll receive your state pension on Monday. If it’s 26, your payment will be made on Tuesday. And if your two-digit code is 89, you’ll see your payment on Friday.
This code system helps the DWP manage pension payments, ensuring they’re distributed fairly across the week.
Will the Amount Change?
Rest assured, your pension amount will not change due to the bank holidays. The only difference is the date you’ll receive your payment. The amount you’re entitled to will be deposited into your account just as it would on any regular payment day.
The state pension rate itself, however, did see an increase on April 7, 2025. From this date, the new 2025-2026 state pension rates came into effect.
If you receive your pension on a different day due to the bank holidays, the new rates will still apply, but they’ll start from the first day of your full benefit week. So, if you receive your payment on a Wednesday, the increase will kick in from that date onward.
What Should You Do If Your Payment Doesn’t Arrive?
If your state pension does not appear in your account on the revised payment date, it’s important to act quickly. The DWP will not be processing payments during the bank holidays, so there may be a delay in processing.
In such cases, you should get in touch with the Pensions Service as soon as possible. The department’s helpline is available at 0800 731 0469. Be sure to contact them if you’re concerned about missing payments or if your payment doesn’t appear on the scheduled date.
It’s important to be aware that there may be a slight delay in processing payments during the bank holidays because DWP support offices will be closed. However, once the office reopens, payments will continue as usual.
Why Is This Important?
The adjustment to the payment schedule is particularly important for pensioners who rely on the state pension to cover their living expenses.
For many, the state pension represents a substantial portion of their income, and even a few days’ delay can impact household budgets. Understanding when you will receive your pension allows you to plan your finances accordingly.
How Does the DWP Handle Changes to the Schedule?
Each year, the DWP ensures that individuals who receive state pensions are not adversely affected by the change in holiday dates. They follow the same procedure every year to ensure that people receive their payments on time.
The pension payments are always calculated based on the same number of weeks, so even if your payday changes, you’ll still receive your pension for the same number of weeks.
In addition to these changes, the DWP is also taking steps to implement the new state pension rates. The updated payment rates came into effect from April 7, and these new rates will be included in your May state pension payment.
What About Payments for People Living Abroad?
For pensioners living abroad, different rules apply, depending on the country of residence. If you live outside the UK, it’s important to check with the DWP to find out how the bank holidays might affect your pension payment.
Payments for overseas pensioners are typically made once a month, and the DWP has specific procedures for transferring state pension payments abroad.
Conclusion
The upcoming May bank holidays will affect state pension payments for some pensioners in the UK. If you receive your pension on one of the affected dates, you will get your money earlier, on either May 2 or May 23. It’s important to know your payment schedule and make sure to check if the bank holidays impact you.
If you don’t receive your payment on the expected date, be sure to reach out to the Pensions Service. However, there’s no need to worry about the amount of your pension – the changes only affect the payment date, not the amount you’ll receive.
Stay on top of your payment schedule to avoid any surprises and keep track of your financial needs throughout May!