If it's NESt it'll be the total pot, jenny. The weekly amount will be so small I'm afraid that it's not worth worrying about a few months. The main issue will be tax- if you are earning above the tax threshold you'll pay tax on the pension but if you wait until after retirement you may not be a taxpayer so will get it free of tax. In theory income for a lifetime usually pays more than the tax free lump sum +lower income but I'd take as much as possible tax free.