Security, common errors and next steps

Protect your pension and avoid payment delays

Protect your personal information: never share your National Insurance number, bank account details, sort code, online banking password or Government Gateway credentials via email, text, social media or unofficial websites. Be immediately suspicious of any unexpected contact claiming to be from DWP, HMRC or the Pension Service asking you to “verify your banking details” or “confirm your direct credit information”.

DWP and HMRC will never ask for your bank account number or sort code via an unsolicited phone call, text message or email. If you receive such contact, report it to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk.

⚠️ Common errors that delay State Pension payments

Outdated bank account details: if you have recently changed your bank account or sort code and not updated DWP, your automatic payment may be returned by your old bank and take additional days to be reprocessed. Update your banking information immediately via your Personal Tax Account or by calling the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898.

Switching banks mid-cycle: when updating your bank account for DWP payments, allow at least one full payment cycle before closing your old account. Do not cancel your old current account or savings account until the first direct credit has successfully reached your new account.

Payment day falling on a bank holiday: if your regular payment day is a Monday and there is a bank holiday, DWP will process the automatic payment on the Friday before. Always check the GOV.UK bank holiday list when your payment day is close to a public holiday to avoid confusion with your available balance.

Not informing DWP of a change of address: if you move home, update your address with both DWP and HMRC as soon as possible. An incorrect address can delay important letters about your pension income, including annual uprating notices and any changes to your payment amount.

✅ Recommended next steps

Confirm your payment day now by checking your NI number against the table on the previous page, then sign in to your Personal Tax Account at GOV.UK to see the exact dates of your next four payments. Add them to your calendar and plan your direct debits, standing orders and essential expenses around each date.

If you do not yet have a bank account for your State Pension payments, contact the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898. Most UK banks offer free basic bank accounts with no monthly fees, which are fully eligible to receive DWP automatic payments via BACS direct credit.

Share this guide with other State Pension recipients in your family or community. Keeping everyone informed about how payment days are determined and where to check official dates reduces the risk of fraud and supports better financial planning for everyone.

For any queries, use only official channels: gov.uk, the Pension Service helpline 0800 731 7898 or the HMRC app. Never click on shortened links or respond to unsolicited messages requesting your bank account details or National Insurance number.

If you notice any discrepancy in the amount credited to your bank account, take a screenshot of your bank statement and contact the Pension Service immediately on 0800 731 7898. Having a clear record of the expected and received amounts speeds up any investigation significantly.