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Pension paid quarterly.

Royal Mail pension news and discussion.Please note the advise given in this forum is unofficial, please use the links we have for a more detailed response or see an independent financial adviser.
Wullie10
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Pension paid quarterly.

Post by Wullie10 »

There's the option to take your pension paid monthly or quarterly, every 3 months. I am just curious why anyone would want it paid every quarter. What would be any advantages ? It seems odd that this option is available. I can't imagine there are many takers.
baldrick
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Re: Pension paid quarterly.

Post by baldrick »

I can't think of any advantages. I certainly wouldn't do that.
RobertT
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Re: Pension paid quarterly.

Post by RobertT »

DB pensions often give the choice of payments being monthly or quarterly. Mainly because it's cheaper for them in terms of admin and banking charges, etc.

Monthly is usually in arrears, while quarterly can be in advance(depending on the scheme).
But I don't think any of the RMSPS or RMPP documentation actually says which applies if you choose 4 payments a year instead of 12. :hmmmm

There may be some who prefer quarterly.
Perhaps you could earn a bit of interest on it? :cool
Links to all RM pension related websites are here
NorthernBoy
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Re: Pension paid quarterly.

Post by NorthernBoy »

Wullie10 wrote:
20 Apr 2026, 04:51
There's the option to take your pension paid monthly or quarterly, every 3 months. I am just curious why anyone would want it paid every quarter. What would be any advantages ? It seems odd that this option is available. I can't imagine there are many takers.
Yes, I don’t think many people would take it every quarter. Maybe if you had a really small pension you might want it every 3 months to make it seem more worthwhile. I can’t see any advantages.
FAB
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Joined: 06 May 2017, 22:57
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Re: Pension paid quarterly.

Post by FAB »

NorthernBoy wrote:
20 Apr 2026, 20:44
Wullie10 wrote:
20 Apr 2026, 04:51
There's the option to take your pension paid monthly or quarterly, every 3 months. I am just curious why anyone would want it paid every quarter. What would be any advantages ? It seems odd that this option is available. I can't imagine there are many takers.
Yes, I don’t think many people would take it every quarter. Maybe if you had a really small pension you might want it every 3 months to make it seem more worthwhile. I can’t see any advantages.
That was exactly why an ex postie on a round I did took his pension quarterly as it was so small. But it gave the impression of getting a reasonable amount. Still thought that was an odd approach. I would want any money as soon as possible!
barcajr
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Re: Pension paid quarterly.

Post by barcajr »

I take mine quarterly, as am still working, a lump sump sum every 3 months is easier to save
wallop
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Re: Pension paid quarterly.

Post by wallop »

I have an options form at the moment and i noticed that it says that the monthly pension is paid on the last working day of the month i suppose by taking it every quarter it would even out the months a bit rather than getting paid on a Fri one month then having to wait until a Mon the next followed by a Wed etc That's how July,Aug and Sept fall this year.
wallop
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Gender: Male

Re: Pension paid quarterly.

Post by wallop »

RobertT wrote:
20 Apr 2026, 08:00
DB pensions often give the choice of payments being monthly or quarterly. Mainly because it's cheaper for them in terms of admin and banking charges, etc.

Monthly is usually in arrears, while quarterly can be in advance(depending on the scheme).
But I don't think any of the RMSPS or RMPP documentation actually says which applies if you choose 4 payments a year instead of 12. :hmmmm

There may be some who prefer quarterly.
Perhaps you could earn a bit of interest on it? :cool
Quarterly is paid in arrears it's mentioned on the options form.