Thousands of State Pension recipients will receive their next payment earlier than expected at the end of August because of the summer bank holiday. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that eligible pensioners whose payment is due on Monday, August 31, will instead receive their money on Friday, August 28.
The early payment is not an extra payment or bonus. Instead, it is the normal four-week State Pension payment being issued before the bank holiday. Depending on their entitlement, some pensioners receiving the full new State Pension could receive up to £965.20 in their regular four-week payment.
Changes
The August bank holiday falls on Monday, August 31, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
When a scheduled benefit payment falls on a bank holiday, the DWP usually pays it on the previous working day.
For this reason, pensioners whose usual payment date is Monday, August 31, can expect their payment to arrive on Friday, August 28.
The DWP has also confirmed that Scotland’s summer bank holiday on Monday, August 3, will not affect State Pension payments because the Bacs payment system remains operational during Scottish-only bank holidays.
Scotland
Although Scotland observes its summer bank holiday four weeks earlier than the rest of the UK, the DWP says payments scheduled for Monday, August 3, will still arrive on that date.
According to the department, Government Banking has confirmed that Bacs does not close for Scottish-only bank holidays.
As a result, Scottish customers whose payment is due on August 3 do not need to expect an earlier payment.
Amounts
Following the 4.8% State Pension increase that took effect on April 6, the maximum weekly payment rates are:
| State Pension | Weekly Amount | Four-Week Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Full New State Pension | £241.30 | Up to £965.20 |
| Full Basic State Pension | £184.90 | Up to £705.80 |
These figures apply only to people receiving the full amount based on their National Insurance contribution record. Pensioners with fewer qualifying years may receive lower payments.
Schedule
The day your State Pension is paid depends on the final two digits of your National Insurance number.
| Last Two NI Digits | Normal Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 00-19 | Monday |
| 20-39 | Tuesday |
| 40-59 | Wednesday |
| 60-79 | Thursday |
| 80-99 | Friday |
Those whose National Insurance number ends between 00 and 19 normally receive their payment on a Monday. If that Monday falls on a bank holiday, the payment is usually issued on the previous working day.
Payment
Eligible pensioners do not need to contact the DWP or take any action.
The payment will be sent automatically to the same bank, building society, or credit union account where State Pension payments are normally received.
While the payment arrives earlier than usual, it is still intended to cover the normal four-week payment period. That means recipients may need to budget accordingly until their next scheduled payment date.
Reminder
The DWP says new State Pension claimants choose the date they want their pension to begin when making a claim.
The first payment is usually made within five weeks of the chosen start date, and regular payments are then made every four weeks. In some cases, a partial payment may be issued before the first full payment, with details provided in the award letter.
For pensioners whose regular payment date falls on the August 31 bank holiday, the payment will simply arrive earlier, with no change to the amount they are entitled to receive.
FAQs
Who will receive an early State Pension payment?
Those due to be paid on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Is the £965 payment an extra bonus?
No. It is the regular four-week State Pension payment.
Will Scotland’s August 3 bank holiday affect payments?
No. The DWP says payments will still be made on August 3.
How do I know my normal payment day?
It depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number.
