Self Assessment: Baffled by State Pension figures

SnowMan

molerat said:

They always seem to use 52 x new for calculating tax, the same is shown in your tax account for your annual pension.  51 x new & 1 x old is only used for the tax code.

Thanks. In that case OP ignore what I said above and you should just accept the prepopulated £13,031 figure.

SnowMan

molerat said:

They always seem to use 52 x new for calculating tax, the same is shown in your tax account for your annual pension.  51 x new & 1 x old is only used for the tax code.

Just had another look at this and this is in the help notes to the tax return

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68da62da49e17d00a56ffb53/SA150-Notes-2025.pdf

That seems to be contradicting what they pre-populate and what they actually normally use to work out the tax (?)

DRS1

Am I wrong to think that you cannot actually change the pre-populated figure anyway?

UnsureAboutthis

Hello

I was going to start a thread but found this.

I'm helping my sbling and her other haf with their self-assessment.

The figures the HMRC site's self-assessment site is overstating their pensions - we have not note the figures before, i.e., previous years, as I just assumed they were correct

Mr's IIRC is overstated by approx 700 - I will look at the exact figures and post later tonight

Mrs state pension is overstated by approx 300

I'm aware they are paid every 4 weeks, so we have to calculate the payments times 13 ie every 4 weeks.

We tried calling HMRC last week and gave up after waiting close to 60 minutes for the phone to be answered.

All guidance appreciated - also, atm I am wondering if the previous years were wrong as well - whats the best way to deal with this.

Thanks

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81974543#Comment_81974543

Best thing to do will be to share the relevant figures on here when you find them, and chances are someone will be able to explain, without the need to go through the hassle of speaking to HMRC (who simply use the figures supplied by DWP anyway).

jem16

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81765743#Comment_81765743

No I would remove the pre-populated figure from the tax return and instead put the figure that you calculated as that’s correct. I do this every year and tell them it’s because it should be 1 week of old plus 51 weeks of new as per their guidelines. It’s never queried.

jem16

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81974543#Comment_81974543

The state pension is not taxed on receipt of payment but on the weekly entitlement. Therefore for anyone reaching SPA from 6th April 2016 onwards it should always be 1 week of old rate plus 51 weeks of new rate. For those who reached SPA before that it can be the same formula or 52 weeks of weekly rate depending on exactly when the 6th April fell.

In saying that though, I cannot see how there would be a difference of £700 if you are using 13 payments unless you’ve miscounted. Perhaps you can give us your figures?

Silvertabby

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81765720#Comment_81765720

Mr S's entitlement to the winter fuel allowance was so close it literally depended on his State pension for 2025/26. 51 x new plus 1 x old = under £35K, but 52 x new = over. He has had letter advising how his WFA will be recovered via tax.

Before anyone chips in we don't need it, our WFA goes to a local foodbank, so it's the charities that are missing out.

UnsureAboutthis

Ok - just come back from a sibling's home.

I've also looked into 53 weeks as opposed to 52 weeks as I googled this and tax years 2025/26 have 53 weeks for state pension payments. It just occurred to me to check for some reason

Mr. Self-assessment online states he got 11208 quid. (Actually Gets 822-80p every 4 wks) : 52wks = 10696.40p)

If you calculate for 53 weeks that equates to 10902.10p

Therefore, the HMRC is overstating the pension by at least (becuse I've not got the lower figure for week one)

309.50.

His wife's discrepancy equates to about 125+ quid over 53 weeks, ie that is 11208 as opposed to what he is getting with 52 wks of payments equated to 10696.40p)

They are not on benefits and both got the lower rate winter fuel allowance of 100 each - but I'm sure that's not included in the figures and even if it was, there's still a shortfall

I hope I'm clear but if not, please ask

Dazed_and_C0nfused

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81974932#Comment_81974932

Are you absolutely certain that you aren't somehow mixing up two tax years.

11208 is very close to 4.8% more than 10696

HMRC wouldn't include the Winter Fuel Payment as it isn't taxable income.