The state pension payment date has changed for May, with the bank holiday weekend looming.
09:02, 18 May 2026Updated 10:29, 18 May 2026
Surprise £739 coming for state pensioners born before 1953 this week
State pensioners born before 1953 are being handed £739 in a surprise from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) this week. The state pension payment date has changed for May, with the bank holiday weekend looming.
Because Monday, May 25 is a bank holiday, the payments will be brought forward to Friday, May 22. Under the new Triple Lock rates, the basic state pension is worth £739 a month, meaning those born before 1953 (if women) will be paid that sum this week.
State pensioners are paid based on the two digit code at the end of their National Insurance number. Those who have a National Insurance number ending in 00 to 19 will normally be paid on a Monday.
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Because of the bank holiday, though, this will be brought forward by 72 hours. Your state pension won’t land magically in your bank account on your qualifying birthday, so you’ll need to claim it.
Sage explains: “Look out for an invitation in the post from the Pension Service around two months before you reach state pension age. If it hasn’t arrived, call them on 0800 731 7898.
“Or you can request one through the Pension Service site up to three months before reaching pension age.
“The easiest way to claim your state pension is online, using the invitation code you’ll be sent. But you can also ask the Pension Service for a paper claims form to be posted to you if you’d prefer not to do things digitally.
“To apply you’ll need your bank or building society details, the date of your most recent marriage, civil partnership or divorce (if these apply to you), and the dates of any time spent living or working abroad.”
The state pension is usually paid into your account every four weeks in arrears. Your payment day depends on the last two digits of your national insurance number:
00 to 19 – Monday20 to 39 – Tuesday40 to 59 – Wednesday60 to 79 – Thursday80 to 99 – Friday