The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that State Pension payments will continue in October using the usual payment schedule linked to pensioners’ National Insurance numbers. Some eligible recipients could receive payments of up to £965.20 every four weeks.
The payment system means pensioners can check their expected payment day by looking at the final two digits of their National Insurance number. The arrangement applies to regular State Pension payments after the initial claim process has been completed.
National Insurance Numbers Determine Payment Days
According to the DWP, the day a State Pension is paid depends on the two-digit code at the end of a person’s National Insurance number. Codes from 00 to 19 are linked to Monday payments, while 20 to 39 correspond to Tuesday payments. Those with numbers ending from 40 to 59 are normally paid on Wednesdays, people with codes between 60 and 79 receive payments on Thursdays, and numbers from 80 to 99 are linked to Friday payments.
For example, a pensioner whose National Insurance number ends in 19 would normally receive their State Pension payment on a Monday in October. Payments are usually made every four weeks after the first full payment has been issued.
The DWP said: “You’ll be asked when you want to start getting your State Pension when you claim. Your first payment will be no later than 5 weeks after the date you choose. You’ll get a full payment every 4 weeks after that.”
The department also stated that some people may receive part of a payment before their first full payment, with details provided in the letter confirming their State Pension arrangements.
There are no bank holidays in October affecting the normal payment schedule, meaning pensioners should receive their payments on their usual dates. According to the DWP, payments can be made earlier when a normal payment day falls on a bank holiday.
State Pension Rates Remain Linked to April Increase
The current State Pension rates were introduced on 6 April for the 2026 to 2027 tax year following a 4.8% increase under the triple lock system. The full new State Pension is worth £241.30 per week, which means eligible pensioners receiving the maximum amount can receive up to £965.20 over a four-week payment period. The previous basic State Pension also increased by 4.8%, reaching £184.90 per week. Those entitled to the full amount can receive £739.60 every four weeks.
These maximum figures apply to people with a complete National Insurance record. Pensioners with fewer qualifying years may receive lower payments, depending on their individual circumstances.
According to the DWP, the triple lock guarantees that the State Pension rises each April by whichever is highest among three measures: inflation based on the Consumer Prices Index, average earnings growth, or 2.5%.
The department previously said the April increase would support millions of pensioners facing financial pressures. The next annual increase will be confirmed after the Government’s Budget announcement on 28 October, unless changes to State Pension rules are introduced before then.
For October, pensioners can continue using their National Insurance number code as a guide to when their next payment is expected. The four-week payment cycle remains in place for those already receiving the State Pension.
