Pensioners might change DWP funds to get £230.25 per week
There are things you can do to alter your State Pension payments
You may not realise that you can change how often you are paid your pension(Image: Getty)
Pensioners may not realise they could make a significant change to how they receive their income. It is possible to change the frequency of your State Pension payments.
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. 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 shared a 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 the frequency can only be changed if the payments have already been set up to be made into a bank account.
People already on the New or Basic State Pension
Speaking to the Daily Record, ex-DWP employee Sandra Wrench said: “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 [a] 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.”
Full New State Pension rates 2026/27
- Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)
- Four-weekly pay period: £965.20
- Annual amount: £12,547
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)
- Four-weekly pay period: £739.60
- Annual amount: £9,614
Other State Pension rates
- Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)
- Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)
New Pension Credit rates
Standard minimum guarantee
- Single: £238.00 (from £227.10)
- Couple: £363.25 (from £346.60)
Additional amount for severe disability
- Single: £86.05 (from £82.90)
- Couple (one qualifies): £86.05 (from £82.90)
- Couple (both qualify): £172.10 (from £165.75)
- Additional amount for carers: £48.15 (from £46.40)
Full details on Additional State Pension, Widows Pension, increments and Invalidity Allowance can be found on GOV.UK.
