14 UK State Pension payments in 2024 for me

[fyfin]

I always do a spreadsheet for my tax return and thought I had done something wrong when I ended up with 14 (4 weekly) payments in 2024.
I thought it wouldn't be possible so I check back and I had 13 payments in 2023 and looking at the calendar I will have 13 payments in 2025.
I suppose it depends on when your payment falls and as there isn't exactly 52 weeks in a year, at some point you'll have an extra payment but just seemed odd.
Oh well, I'll just pay more tax for this year's income.
Happy days and a Happy New Year to you all!

[El Cid]

Irrespective of how many payments you had, the better exchange rate will mean a bigger tax bill for 2024.

Sid

[fyfin]

Irrespective of how many payments you had, the better exchange rate will mean a bigger tax bill for 2024.

Sid

Yes, you'r right there, I've just put €1.1811 in as average and definitely up from last year but can't complain - more spending power during the year.

[Wicksey]

Irrespective of how many payments you had, the better exchange rate will mean a bigger tax bill for 2024.

Sid

Yes, you'r right there, I've just put €1.1811 in as average and definitely up from last year but can't complain - more spending power during the year.

Is that the rate, or near enough?

January is a 'Blue Moon Pension' month for me, two lots which is nice. Still a novelty getting this every four weeks We've now lost our rental income so I hope it all balances out and we continue not to pay any tax

[El Cid]

Is that the rate, or near enough?

The rate from the ECB is 1.18117

Thats what I have put in the FAQ.

Sid

[Manchesteral]

My U K state pension is paid exactly every 28 days! so I get paid 13 times in a year!

[gerryh]

Perhaps the OP was incliuding the 10GBP xmas bonus last the 14th payment?
Cheers
Gerry

[markwilding]

That’s what the 10 pounds was. Christmas bonus.
So that would make it 14 different payments. My Spanish one pays out 12 but twice a year the payment is double.

[fyfin]

Perhaps the OP was incliuding the 10GBP xmas bonus last the 14th payment?
Cheers
Gerry

Hi Gerry, no that would have made it 15 payments.

I'm surprised but I suppose it will occur at some point for everyone. If you think about it we get paid every 4 weeks (28 days) so that's 13 x 28 days = 364 days but there are actually 365 days or 366 in a leap year so at some point this will equal an extra payment.

I guess it depends then on which day of the week you get paid and when it started, but I ran a spreadsheet to test my situation.
If you start with 2nd January 2024 (Tues and my first payment date in 2024) and add 28 days (you can check this on a calendar) you'll see that the 31st December 2024 is also a Tuesday and my 14th payment that year. Funnily enough they actually paid it on 27th.
I'm sure this must happen to other people but maybe you just don't notice, it was obvious to me as I do everything on Excel.

[gerryh]

I certainly would have noticed if it happened to me or my wife.
So far, we have only received 13 plus bonus payments a year.
So it seems it only happens when the due date is very near the start of January,
Cheers
Gerry

[Wicksey]

Is that the rate, or near enough?

The rate from the ECB is 1.18117

Thats what I have put in the FAQ.

Sid

Thank you Sid

[KKKaty]

What annoys me is that the state pension is included in earning for tax purposes.dont mind paying tax on private pensions and investments but I think it is legalised robbery. We paid for state pension its not a benefit.

[KKKaty]

I always do a spreadsheet for my tax return and thought I had done something wrong when I ended up with 14 (4 weekly) payments in 2024.
I thought it wouldn't be possible so I check back and I had 13 payments in 2023 and looking at the calendar I will have 13 payments in 2025.
I suppose it depends on when your payment falls and as there isn't exactly 52 weeks in a year, at some point you'll have an extra payment but just seemed odd.
Oh well, I'll just pay more tax for this year's income.
Happy days and a Happy New Year to you all!

Because Pension is paid weekly 28 days. All months are about 30 or 31.