UPDATE: |How to swap from monthly to weekly State Pension payments News

Thousands of older people who receive the New or Basic State Pension may be able to change how often they receive their payments – but there is a key thing to watch out for

People receiving the full New State Pension will notice an increase in their payments this month by £9.05 per week, from £221.20 to £230.25. Given that payments are typically made every four weeks, this works out as £921.

This boost will result in annual payments rising by £473.60, from £11,502 to £11,973, over the 2025/26 financial year. Those on the full Basic State Pension will see their weekly payments rise by £6.95, from £169.50 to £176.45, or £705.80 for each four-week payment period.

Annual payments will increase by £361.40, from £8,814 to £9,175.40, over the 2025/26 financial year. However, while State Pensions and benefits saw an increase on April 7, most household bills, including energy costs, Council Tax, TV licence, mobile phones and broadband, have also risen.

Many older people may not realise they can alter the frequency of their State Pension payments from every four weeks to fortnightly or even weekly. A former DWP employee with 42 years of experience dealing with State Pensions and benefits has shared a simple method for all older people, whether they’re already receiving their State Pension or due to retire this year, to change how often they are paid.

It’s important to note that the frequency can only be altered if the payments have already been arranged to be deposited into a bank account. This applies to people already on the New or Basic State Pension. Former DWP employee Sandra Wrench told the Daily Record.

She said: “If you have already made a claim for State Pension and are in receipt of four-weekly payments, and you want weekly payments, then phone the DWP change of circumstances (Pension Service ) telephone number on 0800 731 0469, and request weekly payments.”

Alternatively, Sandra suggested writing to The Pension Service, Post Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1AF if you can’t use the online service. Include your name, address, and National Insurance number and ask to be changed to a weekly payment for your State Pension.

For those about to claim the New State Pension:

Mrs Wrench added that anyone who is yet to claim State Pension can put in the information box on the State Pension claim form ‘Please pay my pension weekly.’ This should start the process up as you intend from the beginning.

The former DWP insider also highlighted that the four-weekly pay frequency could pose budgeting challenges for household bills as it’s not paid monthly. This is a particular concern for those used to receiving their salary at the end of each month.

She went on to explain: “From your ‘budget point of view’ it may be easier to be paid weekly then you know exactly how much State Pension has been paid into your account each month. For some individuals who are used to being paid their wages weekly, claiming a State Pension which is paid every four weeks, can cause financial difficulties and make it challenging for them to budget.”

A former employee of the Department for Work and Pensions is not alone in drawing attention to certain payment options. BBC Radio 4 Money Box host and financial journalist Paul Lewis previously spotlighted the weekly State Pension payment option back in 2021.

In the Radio Times, he noted: “Three quarters of all pensioners are paid four weeks in arrears, but a State Pension can also be paid weekly. The Government hides this option when people apply, as the application form simply says ‘State Pension is usually paid every four weeks’.”

Looking towards future payments, the DWP has detailed the uprated State Pension and benefit amounts on GOV.UK, including increases to elements like deferred rates, which have gone up by 1.7 percent based on the September Consumer Price Index inflation rate. Headings such as Full New State Pension, Full Basic State Pension, and Future State Pension increases attract attention, particularly with the Labour Government pledging to uphold the Triple Lock throughout its term.

Predictions suggest notable yearly rises:

• 2025/26 – 4.1% confirmed, the forecast was 4%
• 2026/27 – 2.5%
• 2027/28 – 2.5%
• 2028/29 – 2.5%
• 2029/30 – 2.5%

Correspondence from the DWP is on its way to each of the 13 million State Pension recipients, informing them of the new rates for the fiscal year 2025/26. These letters also serve as a prompt for the elderly to verify their eligibility for Pension Credit.