State pensioners could see a boost to their bank accounts a few days early.
The payment schedule is being adjusted for some, which will enable them to receive their amount a bit earlier than normal.
Some pensioners whose National Insurance number ends with 80 to 99 would usually receive their regular payments on a Friday.
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But, with the Easter holidays falling, and April 18 being a bank holiday for Good Friday, the payment has been brought forward.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will initiate payments earlier, resulting in an advance pay-out of £921 before the upcoming weekend, usually by today (Thursday, April 16).
Here is what we know.
How will I know if I am affected?
These changes will only affect people who normally receive their payments on a Friday and who have specific National Insurance numbers.
If you are not sure if you are affected by these bank holiday changes, you can refer to the two-digit code associated with your pension payments, which will appear on all correspondence.
What if I am unsure how to claim State Pension?
Under new rules, people do not automatically get the new State Pension, as they now have to apply to claim it. You can start claiming at any time after you reach State Pension age, which can be worked out here.
If you start your claim up to 12 months after you reach State Pension Age, you can ask that the claim is backdated to when your entitlement started. If you start your claim more than 12 months after you reach State Pension age, you will be treated as having deferred your pension.
You will usually receive a letter from the pension service around four months before you reach State Pension age telling you how to claim. If you have not received a letter and there are less than three months left before you reach State Pension Age, you can phone the claim line to find out the next steps. In England, that number is 0800 731 7898.
When will I get paid?
The day you get paid depends on your National Insurance number.
The numbers are the last digits:
- 00 to 19 your payment day is Monday.
- 20 to 39 your payment day is Tuesday.
- 40 to 59 your payment day is Wednesday.
- 60 to 79 your payment day is Thursday.
- 80 to 99 your payment day is Friday.
