DWP state pensioners under 77 can get extra £965.20 payment

Some pensioners may have received two scheduled State Pension payments in September

Certain state pensioners will receive a welcome boost this September with a second DWP state pension payment worth an additional £965.20, depending on their National Insurance circumstances. Those who entered retirement after April 2016 can receive up to £241.30 weekly in their basic state pension payment, provided they have a complete National Insurance record.

In April 2016, anyone qualifying for a state pension would have reached 66 years of age, meaning the maximum age for a new state pensioner today is 77, depending on when their birthday occurs. However, both established and newer state pensioners stand to receive two state pension payments this September owing to how the extended five-week month falls.

While state pension amounts are frequently quoted as weekly sums, DWP state pension payments are in fact issued for each four-week period, reports the Express. This means that every four weeks, new state pensioners will receive up to £965.20 from their basic rate state pension payments, provided they've maximised their National Insurance record. The precise payment date depends on the final two digits of your National Insurance number. According to the DWP, individuals whose NI number concludes with digits ranging from 40 to 59 typically receive payment on Wednesdays.

Because this September contains five Wednesdays, younger state pensioners with these particular National Insurance numbers can expect to receive their state pension twice during September 2026 - totalling a maximum of £1,930.40 from the two basic rate payments, assuming a complete National Insurance record. The same applies to Tuesdays - with five Tuesdays falling this month, those who receive their state pension on a Tuesday could also benefit, depending on your usual payment schedule.

Individuals with gaps in their National Insurance record will receive reduced pension payments, with the exact amount determined by how far short they fall of a complete record. The DWP assesses this on an individual basis when someone reaches state pension age.

The yearly total for basic rate state pension payments for a younger state pensioner amounts to £12,547. Importantly, this remains beneath the Income Tax threshold, though it does mean any additional income - whether from savings interest, employment or property rental - could push you into owing tax to HMRC.

The Chancellor has also revealed that going forward, state pensioners whose income surpasses the £12,570 Personal Tax Allowance will not be liable for tax on their state pension, though this only applies to those with no other sources of income. The Treasury has yet to confirm precise details of how this arrangement will operate, but the upcoming Budget on 28 October - the first under John Healey - is anticipated to provide greater clarity on the particulars.

The policy was originally unveiled by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves, though new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to maintain the exemption during his address to the Labour Party Conference this week.