A former DWP employee shares how the frequency of State Pension payments can easily be changed to weekly.

The State Pension is worth up to £230.25 per week during the current financial year and is typically issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) every four weeks. However, while most older people are happy to receive a regular income of up to £921 every payment period, many may not be aware they can change the frequency of these payments to fortnightly or even weekly.

A former DWP employee with 42 years experience in dealing with State Pensions and benefits shares the simple way every older person, already receiving their State Pension or due to retire this year, can change how often they are paid.

The main thing to be aware of is that the frequency can only be changed if the payments have already been set up to be made into a bank account.

READ MORE: Martin Lewis issues New State Pension tax warningREAD MORE: New way for older people to claim backdated State Pension paymentsPeople already on the New or Basic State Pension

Ex-DWP employee Sandra Wrench told the Daily Record: “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 write to The Pension Service, Post Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1AF, with your name address and National Insurance number and ask to be changed to weekly payment for your State Pension.”

People about to claim the New State Pension

Mrs Wrench explained: “If you are yet to claim your State Pension, put in the information box on the State Pension claim form ‘Please pay my pension weekly’.”

The DWP insider also said the four-weekly pay frequency may make it difficult to budget for household bills as it’s not paid monthly, especially if someone has been used to being paid their salary at the end of each month.

She said: “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 members of the public who are used to being paid their wages weekly, claiming a State Pension which is paid every four weeks, can cause problems financially and make it difficult for them to budget.”

The ex-DWP employee isn’t alone in raising awareness about the payment options. Back in 2021, BBC Radio 4 Money Box presenter and financial journalist Paul Lewis, highlighted the weekly payment option in the Radio Times. He explained: “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’.”

State Pension annual uprating

Millions of older people are on track for a significant State Pension pay rise from April after the final piece of the Triple Lock puzzle was recently put in place by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure for September was 3.8 per cent, which means the New and Basic State Pensions will rise under the earnings growth measure of 4.8 per cent.

Under the Triple Lock the New and Basic State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest between the average annual earnings growth from May to July (4.8%), CPI inflation rate in the year to September (3.8%), or 2.5 per cent. Additional State Pension elements and deferred State Pensions rise each year with the September CPI figure.

An increase of 4.8 per cent will see those on the full New State Pension receive £241.30 per week, while those on the maximum Basic State Pension would receive £184.90 per week.

It’s important to remember that the amount of State Pension someone receives depends on their National Insurance contributions. To receive the full New State Pension you need around 35 years’ worth, but this may differ if you were ‘contracted out’.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will confirm the annual uprating at the Autumn Budget on November 26. An uprating of 4.8 per cent on the current State Pension would see people receive the following amounts.

Full New State PensionWeekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)Four-weekly pay period: £965.20Annual amount: £12,547Full Basic State PensionWeekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)Four-weekly pay period: £739.60Annual amount: £9,614Get the latest Record Money news

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