The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning to pensioners with National Insurance numbers ending with these two digits.
State pensioners in the UK are being advised to pay attention to potential changes in payment dates this month, as the Christmas holidays might alter the usual schedule.
Bank holidays during the festive season are likely to impact when some people will receive their payments.
There’s a straightforward way to know if your state pension payment date will be affected over the festive period. Every person’s National Insurance number ends with a two-digit code which determines their regular payment day of the week.
If a pensioner’s payment typically comes through on a public holiday like Christmas Day or Boxing Day—which fall on Wednesday and Thursday this year—they could expect an earlier payment.
According to official guidance from the DWP: “The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance number. You might be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday.”
For those whose National Insurance number ends between 40 and 99, it’s particularly crucial to take note as they’re more inclined to experience alterations during the Christmas season.
For example, payments would likely be advanced to the next working day before the holiday, such as Tuesday, December 24, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The state pension isn’t the only benefit that may see a change in payment schedules due to bank holidays in December; DWP and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) claimants could also have their payments expedited.
This encompasses a range of benefits, although specific details were not included in the given text excerpt.
If you discover that your benefit has not been paid as expected, you’ll need to get in touch with the office responsible for your payments.
