The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced an upcoming change to state pension payments set to take effect next month. The DWP has released its benefit payment dates for August 2025 with thousands of individuals expected to receive their state pension earlier than normal.
This early payment is due to the summer bank holiday, which will see thousands of claimants receiving their August payments ahead of schedule. The next bank holiday in 2025 for Wales falls on Monday, August 25, with the summer bank Holiday.
As a result those scheduled to receive benefits or state pension payments on August 25 will instead receive their payments on Friday, August 22.
Payments due over the weekend of August 23 and 24 will also be issued on the earlier date of August 22 following standard procedure when payment dates coincide with non-working days.
Benefits affected by the bank holiday include universal credit, the state pension, and pension credit.
Other affected benefits include HMRC’s child benefit, disability living allowance, personal independence payment (PIP), attendance allowance, carer’s allowance, employment support allowance, income support, and jobseeker’s allowance.
Following August the next bank holiday that will influence DWP payments is in December.
Any payments due on December 25 or 26 will be paid early on December 24. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here.
The state pension is meant to provide people with a consistent retirement income from the government regardless of any additional income or pensions you may have.
Once claimed it’s typically paid every four weeks, rather than on a fixed date each month. Your state pension isn’t automatically disbursed. Here are the steps to claim it:
You should expect a letter approximately four months before reaching your state pension age, containing an invitation code.If you haven’t received this three months before you reach state pension age, or if you’ve misplaced it, you can request an invitation code on GOV.UK.Use your invitation code to apply, the process for which varies depending on where you reside. There’s no deadline for submitting your application.
To request a new code or check your state pension age you can visit GOV.UK here.