DWP is paying state pension early to certain pensioners next month - are you affected?

Pensioners who normally receive their state pension on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day will see their money arrive earlier than scheduled.

There are several key bank holidays to be aware of, as they will affect payment dates.

Anyone due a payment on Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day) should instead receive it on Wednesday 24 December (Christmas Eve). Likewise, anyone due a payment on Friday, 26 December (Boxing Day) should also receive it on Christmas Eve.

Similarly, recipients scheduled for January 1, will receive their payment on New Year's Eve.

This follows standard practice where the DWP transfers payments due on bank holidays to the preceding working day.

The government website confirms: "You might be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday."

Recipients receive their state pension based on a system linked to their National Insurance number. The final two digits determine which weekday the payment arrives.

Those with numbers ending 00-19 receive payments on Mondays, whilst 20-39 corresponds to Tuesdays. Wednesday payments go to those ending 40-59, Thursday to 60-79, and Friday to those with 80-99.

The state pension arrives directly into recipients' chosen bank accounts every four weeks, paid in arrears. This systematic approach ensures consistent payment schedules throughout the year, though bank holidays like those during the festive period require temporary adjustments to maintain regular service.

Whilst early payments may prove convenient for festive spending, recipients should prepare for an extended wait until their next instalment. The adjusted schedule creates a gap exceeding the standard four-week interval between December and January payments.

This longer period between payments could affect household budgeting, particularly following Christmas expenses. Recipients who typically receive funds on affected dates should plan accordingly for the extended timeframe.

The arrangement applies to all state pension recipients whose regular payment dates coincide with the three bank holidays. Standard payment schedules will resume following the New Year period, returning to the usual four-week cycle.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed pensioners will benefit from a 4.8 per cent increase to their state pension from April. The full flat rate will rise from its current £230.25 to £241.40 weekly, equating to nearly £12,548 annually for those who reached pension age after April 2016.

Recipients who retired before that date on the full basic pension will see their payments increase from £176.45 to £184.90 per week. Those on the basic rate may also receive additional payments through S2P or Serps earned during their working lives.

The increase maintains the government's commitment to the triple lock guarantee throughout this parliament. This mechanism ensures pensions rise by whichever is highest: inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5 per cent.