Gov Petition - Require all state pensions to be paid monthly

DiamondLil

Personally, I love the four-weekly payments. Especially when the two payments in a month occur around Christmas and new year. Even more so when the extra payment coincides with the two Council Tax-free months just after Christmas.

p00hsticks

As I say every time this topic comes up, it's using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It's so easy to set up bank accounts now (and often get bonuses for doing so) that if you really want to receive your State Pension monthly, simply set up a new bank account just to get it paid into weekly, fortnightly or four weekly as you choose, and then set up a monthly standing order to move the monthly equivalent over to your main account.

It's a simple solution for the customers who really want it.

I worked for DWP IT systems and the State Pension system is archaic and 'if it ain't broke, don't touch it'. It would be incredibly expensive (and risky) to make such a change unless and until the whole State Pension payment system needs to get re-written for other reasons.

dunstonh

Whilst most people nowadays are paid monthly (figures around 75 to 80%), 15% are paid weekly and 5% paid fortnightly.

Historically, weekly pay was more typical in manual labour and low-income professions. Not exclusively but weighted towards those.

Those that have spent their working life being paid monthly may suffer a minor inconvenience by having it four-weekly. However, those that have spent their working life being paid weekly or four-weekly suffer no inconvenience.

Effectively, what this petition is asking for is that those who are used to being paid weekly or four-weekly should suffer the inconvenience, rather than those who are used to being paid monthly.

4justice2

I get my company pension paid monthly (same amount irrespective of that month is 28 days, 30 days or 31 days). I'd actually find the idea of getting a state pension EVERY 28 DAYS better than constantly changing monthly dates!

The Legacy computer system which deals with State Pension (and ESA, JSA) is only capable of making payments weekly (or in multiples of weeks). It's not able to make monthly payments.

pinnks

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82054747#Comment_82054747

That's because these are, legally, weekly benefits, so the computer systems are programmed to apply the law as enacted.

ClashCityRocker1

Strongly disagree. I get mine weekly and want to keep it that way.

A choice to get monthly payment, maybe, but that might just lead to big admin costs.

HedgehogRulez

it should be half-hourly, just like smart meter readings are reported.

molerat

I am sure those working for Asda would not like to adjust to the change of being paid monthly 😁

Apart from the first couple years of my working life I have always been paid monthly but even that meant different amounts. I have been paid on the last day of the month and according to the number of days so 28, 29, 30 or 31 days pay, the last Friday of the month which meant 4 or 5 week's pay and salaried equal monthly amounts - and that was all from the same employer- I am sure @Silvertabby will remember those old schemes.

My current pension payment dates are 13th, 28th and last working day of the month plus the SP at least once in that month so I am used to juggling spending around payments - putting everything on a credit card makes that easier.

phlebas192

I'm still some way off from getting my SP, but my DB pension is paid 4 weekly since it is from an industry that always had 4 weekly pay periods. I can see how it could be an issue for someone who is either poor at budgeting or is living hand to mouth. But for everyone else - and I suspect almost every regular here - it is more of a case of having a 'monthly' payment that just happens to turn up earlier each month and then once a year getting a bonus payment.

I really cannot see the SP system changing.

mrklaw

I don’t understand the amount of dismissal or pushback in this thread to choice

yes you can fudge a workaround if you want but then you’re either using the 4 weekly amount as a pseudo monthly amount so now your ‘income’ is lower (with a little adjustment at some point wiht the extra payment but thats harder to plan for), or you’re building up weekly amounts in a bank account and drawing monthly - again you’ll either need to wait until there is enough buffer for you to pull a monthly amount or seed it with some savings first.

how its remotely controversial to suggest having a regular income paid like most people get their regular income paid is surprising