State pensioners warned they need to 'defer' their payment from DWP

James Rodger

20 June 2024 at 9:41 am·2-min read

State pensioners have been warned they should be "deferring" their payments from the Department for Work and Pensions. Deferring your State Pension could increase the payments you get each week when you decide to claim it, as long as you defer for at least nine weeks.

Your State Pension increases by the equivalent of one per cent for every nine weeks you defer, this works out as just under 5.8 per cent for every 52 weeks. The extra amount is paid with your regular State Pension payment, the DWP rules stipulate.

The DWP explains: "You do not get your State Pension automatically - you have to claim it. You should get a letter no later than 2 months before you reach State Pension age, telling you what to do. You can either claim your State Pension or delay (defer) claiming it.

"If you want to defer, you do not have to do anything. Your pension will automatically be deferred until you claim it. Deferring your State Pension could increase the payments you get when you decide to claim it. Any extra payments you get from deferring could be taxed."

The payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is currently 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years' worth of National Insurance Contributions. However, many people approaching the official retirement age this year may not be aware this contributory benefit is not paid automatically by the DWP and needs to be claimed - or they could miss out.

The full payment rate is £221.20 and payment rate for every four-week pay period is £884.80, the DWP adds. Your first payment will be within five weeks of reaching State Pension age and you will get a full payment every four weeks after that.

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