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: State Pension uprating will not be paid to nearly half a million older peopleREAD MORE: Pensioners with long-term health issues urged to contact charity directly for help claiming income top-upsPeople 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 payments 2025/26

Full New State Pension

Weekly payment: £230.25Fortnightly payment: £460.50Four-weekly payment: £921Annual amount: £11,973

Full Basic State Pension

Weekly payment: £176.45Fortnightly payment: £352.90Four-weekly payment: £705.80Annual amount: £9,175Future State Pension increases

The Labour Government has pledged to honour the Triple Lock or the duration of its term and the latest predictions show the following projected annual increases:

2025/26 – 4.1% (the forecast was 4%)2026/27 – 2.5%2027/28 – 2.5%2028/29 – 2.5%2029/30 – 2.5%

The State Pension uprating for 2026/27 will be announced at the Autumn Budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Get the latest Record Money news

Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.

Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here.

You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community.