Special code that reveals when your state pension payment is paid
HOUSEHOLDS can find out exactly when their state pension will be paid thanks to a handy code hidden in their National Insurance (NI) numbers.
The state pension is a benefit paid to anyone in the UK who has enough contributions on their NI record.
The full state pension is worth £221.20 a week, which adds up to £11,502.40 a year.
However, the amount increases every year, thanks to something called the triple lock.
This guarantees that the payment will rise by the highest out of inflation (measured by the Consumer Prices Index), the average increase in wages in the UK, or 2.5%.
To get the money, you need to start claiming your state pension once you reach state pension age.
You can find yours out using the government’s online tool.
If you choose to delay your pension by more than 9 weeks, you’ll increase the amount you get paid.
Your first payment will come within five weeks of you applying for the money, and will cover the full amount you’re owed for that time.
That could mean you get a higher or lower amount than normal.
After that, you should get your full payment every four weeks, and it should always come on the same day of the week.
The actual day you get paid is determined by your National Insurance number, and there’s a clever trick for working out when yours will come.
You need to look at the last two digits, and that will tell you your payment day.
The codes and corresponding days are:
| Last two digits of your NI number | Day your pension is paid |
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
If you’re not sure what your National Insurance number is, you can find it on documents such as a P60, in your personal tax account online, or in the HMRC app.
You can also use your personal tax account or HMRC app to download a letter that shows your National Insurance number.
Or you can use the government’s online tool here.
Even though the payment day is determined by your NI number, you might be paid earlier if your usual day falls on a bank holiday.
Usually, you’ll get your money on the previous working day if that happens.
Who gets a state pension?
To get any state pension at all, you need to have at least 10 qualifying years on your national insurance record. To get the full amount, you need 35 qualifying years.
A qualifying year is one where you either worked and made national insurance contributions, got national insurance credits (for instance if you have caring responsibilities), or paid voluntary national insurance.
You can get a State Pension forecast to see whether you’re on track to receive the full amount. If you don’t have enough time to get the full 35 years before your state retirement age, you can make voluntary contributions to fill gaps in your record.
You might have gaps if:
- You were employed but had low earnings
- You were unemployed, but did not claim benefits
- You were self-employed but did not pay contributions because of small profits
- You lived or worked outside the UK
If you do have gaps, your state pension forecast will tell you how much it will cost to pay voluntary contributions, whether you’ll benefit from doing this, and if you can pay online.
Before you decide to pay, check whether you’re eligible for National Insurance Credits.
These count as qualifying years for your record, but without you having to pay anything.
You typically get them from claiming certain benefits, if you’re ill, unemployed, or have caring responsibilities.
Sometimes you get them automatically, for instance if you claim child benefit (even if you opt not to receive the money), while other times you will have to apply.
You get the credits automatically if you are on:
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance and not in education or working 16 hours or more a week
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
- Maternity allowance
- a parent or guardian registered for Child Benefit for a child under 12 (even if you do not receive it)
- Carer’s Allowance payments or (in Scotland only) Carer Support Payment
- Income Support and providing regular and substantial care
- a government-approved training course that lasts no longer than 1 year Jobcentre Plus and you’re over 18
Pension Credit explained
Pension Credit is a benefit which gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re on a low income in retirement.
It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
You may be able to get extra help of you’re a carer, have a disability, or are responsible for a child.
It also opens up access to lots of other benefits such as the warm home discount scheme, support for mortgage interest, council tax discounts, free TV licences once you’re over 75, and help with NHS costs.
To qualify, you need to be over state pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales.
If you have a partner, you need to include them on your claim.
Pension Credit tops up:
- your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single
- your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner
However, even if your income is higher, you might still qualify if you have a disability or caring responsibilities.
There is also another element to Pension Credit called savings credit. To get this, you need to have saved some money towards your retirement.
You can get an extra £17.01 a week for a single person or £19.04 a week for a married couple.
If you have more than £10,000 in savings, the government uses a calculation to work out how much it adds to your income.
Every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week.
However, there are plenty more ways you can get credits by applying.
For instance, if you’re unemployed and looking for work, but not on Jobseeker’s Allowance, you need to contact your local Jobcentre to claim Class 1 credits.
Meanwhile, if you’re on Statutory Sick Pay or Statutory Maternity, Paternity or Adoption Pay, or Additional Statutory Paternity Pay and will not earn enough to make a qualifying year, you can apply for Class 1 credits.
You need to write to: PT Operations North East England, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AN, United Kingdom.
You need to include your National Insurance number and say when the credits are for and why you’re eligible.
If you claim child benefit, you can transfer the credits to a spouse or partner using form CF411A.
Grandparents and other family members caring for your child can also apply for Specified Adult Childcare Class 3 credits if all they are over 16 but under State Pension age and you agree to transfer the credits.
If you’re caring for one or more sick or disabled person for at least 20 hours a week, and you don’t get Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment or Income Support, you can apply for Class 3 carer’s credits here.
People on Working Tax Credit may get NI credits automatically. Check your record to see if you are getting them, and if not, contact HMRC.
If you’ve done jury service and you’re not self-employed, you can write to HMRC to apply for Class 1 credits. Include your National Insurance number and say when the credits are for and why you’re eligible.
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