Those on the full New State Pension will witness an increase in their payments this month by £9.05 per week, from £221.20 to £230.25. Given that payments are typically made every four weeks, this amounts to £921. This boost will see annual payments rise by £473.60, from £11,502 to £11,973 over the 2025/26 financial year.
Individuals on the full Basic State Pension will see their weekly payments rise by £6.95, from £169.50 to £176.45, or £705.80 every four-week payment period. Annual payments will increase by £361.40, from £8,814 to £9,175.40 over the 2025/26 financial year.
However, while State Pensions and benefits saw an increase on April 7, most household bills, including energy costs, Council Tax, the TV licence, mobile phones and broadband, have also risen. Many older individuals may not realise they can alter the frequency of their State Pension payments from every four weeks to fortnightly or weekly.
A former DWP employee with 42 years of experience dealing with State Pensions and benefits has shared a simple method for all older people, whether already receiving their State Pension or due to retire this year, to change how often they are paid, reports the Daily Record. The key point to note is that the frequency can only be altered if the payments have already been set up to be made into a bank account.
People already on the New or Basic State Pension
Ex-DWP employee Sandra Wrench advised 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.”
For those about to claim the New State Pension, Mrs Wrench suggested: “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 former DWP employee pointed out that the four-weekly payment frequency can make budgeting for household bills challenging, as it doesn’t align with monthly payments, particularly for those accustomed to receiving their salary at the end of each month.
She explained: “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 financial difficulties and make budgeting harder.”
The former DWP worker is not the only one spotlighting alternative payment methods. In 2021, BBC Radio 4’s Money Box host and finance journalist Paul Lewis drew attention to the weekly payout option in the Radio Times, noting: “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
The DWP has published the full list of State Pension and benefit uprated payments on GOV.UK here, which also includes additional elements such as the deferred rates, which have risen by 1.7 per cent (September Consumer Price Index inflation rate).
Full New State Pension
- Weekly payment: £230.25 (from £221.20)
- Fortnightly payment: £460.50 (from £442.40)
- Four-weekly payment: £921 (from £884.80)
- Annual amount: £11,973 (from £11,502)
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly payment: £176.45 (from £169.50)
- Fortnightly payment: £352.90 (from £339)
- Four-weekly payment: £705.80 (from £678)
- Annual amount: £9,175 (from £8,814)
Future 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% confirmed, the forecast was 4%
- 2026/27 – 2.5%
- 2027/28 – 2.5%
- 2028/29 – 2.5%
- 2029/30 – 2.5%
The DWP has issued letters to all 13 million State Pensioners telling them their new payment rates for the 2025/26 financial year. This letter also encourages older people to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit.
