The UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set out the timetable for the planned increase in State Pension age from 67 to 68, a change that could affect millions of people approaching retirement in the coming decades. Under the existing schedule, the increase is due to begin in 2044 and continue through 2046, although future government reviews could lead to changes.
The State Pension age is currently 66 for men and women. It is scheduled to rise gradually to 67 by 2028, with the transition affecting people born after September 6, 1960. The next planned increase would affect younger generations, particularly those born from April 6, 1977 onwards.
For people planning their retirement, the dates matter because the State Pension provides a regular source of income after reaching the qualifying age. A change in the timetable could affect when someone becomes eligible to claim their pension and how long they may need to rely on employment income, private pensions or personal savings.
The government has published a timetable identifying the planned dates for different birth groups. However, the schedule for increasing the State Pension age to 68 is not necessarily final. Legislation requires periodic reviews, and any changes would need to follow the relevant government and parliamentary processes.
Timetable
The planned increase from 67 to 68 is based on legislation introduced through the Pensions Act 2007. Under the existing timetable, the transition is expected to take place between April 2044 and April 2046.
Rather than moving everyone to the new pension age on a single date, the change is scheduled to occur in stages. The date depends on a person’s date of birth, with different birth groups reaching State Pension age at different points during the transition.
People born between April 6, 1977 and April 5, 1978 are covered by the detailed timetable for the transition. Those born on or after April 6, 1978 are scheduled to reach State Pension age at 68 under the existing arrangements.
The published dates provide an indication of when people in the affected groups can expect to become eligible for their State Pension. However, anyone making long-term retirement plans should check their individual State Pension age using the government’s official calculator and remain aware that the timetable could change.
The current schedule is set out below.
Dates
The DWP’s published timetable identifies the following dates for the planned increase from 67 to 68.
| Date of birth | Planned State Pension age date |
|---|---|
| April 6, 1977 to May 5, 1977 | May 6, 2044 |
| May 6, 1977 to June 5, 1977 | July 6, 2044 |
| June 6, 1977 to July 5, 1977 | September 6, 2044 |
| July 6, 1977 to August 5, 1977 | November 6, 2044 |
| August 6, 1977 to September 5, 1977 | January 6, 2045 |
| September 6, 1977 to October 5, 1977 | March 6, 2045 |
| October 6, 1977 to November 5, 1977 | May 6, 2045 |
| November 6, 1977 to December 5, 1977 | July 6, 2045 |
| December 6, 1977 to January 5, 1978 | September 6, 2045 |
| January 6, 1978 to February 5, 1978 | November 6, 2045 |
| February 6, 1978 to March 5, 1978 | January 6, 2046 |
| March 6, 1978 to April 5, 1978 | March 6, 2046 |
| April 6, 1978 onwards | 68th birthday, under the published schedule |
These dates are based on the existing timetable and should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the rules will remain unchanged until the 2040s.
People born close to the transition dates should check their individual circumstances rather than relying on a general age estimate. Even a difference of a few weeks in a birth date can place someone in a different group.
The government’s State Pension age calculator provides a way to check the current rules for an individual’s date of birth.
Increase
The planned rise to 68 follows the ongoing transition from a State Pension age of 66 to 67.
The current increase to 67 is scheduled to be fully implemented by 2028. It affects men and women born after September 6, 1960, with the precise timing determined by their date of birth.
The transition is being introduced gradually rather than through a single change applying to everyone on the same day. This approach means that people born in different months may reach State Pension age at different times.
Once the increase to 67 is fully implemented, the next planned change under the existing timetable is the increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
The difference between the two changes is important. The rise to 67 is scheduled to be completed within the next few years, while the increase to 68 is planned for a much later period. People who are currently approaching retirement may therefore be affected by the first transition rather than the later one.
Younger workers, particularly those born from April 1977 onwards, have more reason to monitor the proposed increase to 68 as part of their long-term retirement planning.
Reviews
The State Pension age is subject to periodic government reviews under the Pensions Act 2014. These reviews are intended to assess whether the existing arrangements remain appropriate in light of factors such as life expectancy, public finances and the proportion of adult life people can expect to spend receiving a State Pension.
The legislation provides for a review at least once every five years. The review process can result in recommendations about whether the pension age should remain as scheduled or whether changes should be considered.
The government has previously explained that the timetable for increasing State Pension age from 67 to 68 could change following a review.
However, a review does not automatically alter the existing timetable. Any proposed changes would need to go through the appropriate government decision-making process and, where required, parliamentary approval before becoming law.
This means that the published dates remain the reference point for current planning, but they are not immune to future changes.
For younger people who are decades away from retirement, it is sensible to treat the current schedule as the government’s existing plan rather than an unchangeable guarantee. Future reviews may consider developments in life expectancy, employment patterns and the financial sustainability of the State Pension system.
Official information about the legislation and the government’s approach to pension policy can be found on GOV.UK.
Planning
A higher State Pension age can affect retirement plans because it changes when a person can begin receiving their state-funded retirement income.
Someone who expects to stop working before reaching State Pension age may need to fund the gap using workplace pensions, personal savings, investments or continued employment. The length of that gap will depend on the person’s retirement date and the rules that apply to them.
For people born in 1977 or later, the planned increase to 68 may be particularly relevant when estimating how much money will be needed to support retirement.
There are several practical steps that can help people prepare.
First, check the current State Pension age using the official government calculator. This provides an individual estimate based on date of birth and the rules currently in force.
Second, review pension savings and expected retirement income. Workplace pensions and private pensions may have different minimum access ages and conditions, so they should not automatically be treated as interchangeable with the State Pension.
Third, consider whether retirement plans depend on receiving the State Pension at a specific age. If the planned age changes, having alternative sources of income may provide greater flexibility.
Finally, check official announcements periodically. People who are several decades away from retirement may see further reviews and legislative changes before they become eligible to claim their pension.
Eligibility
Reaching State Pension age does not necessarily mean that everyone will receive the same amount. The amount payable depends on an individual’s National Insurance record and the rules that apply to their pension entitlement.
Under the new State Pension system, people generally need at least 10 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits to receive any new State Pension. The amount received depends on their record and other factors, including whether they have been contracted out of the additional State Pension under earlier arrangements.
People who are approaching retirement can review their National Insurance record and obtain a State Pension forecast through the government’s online services. These checks can help identify whether there are gaps in a record and whether further information or action may be needed.
The official Check your State Pension forecast service provides information about the amount someone may receive and when they can claim under current rules.
It is important to distinguish between the State Pension age and the amount of pension someone qualifies for. The age determines when the pension can generally be claimed, while the National Insurance record helps determine the amount payable.
Outlook
The existing DWP timetable places the planned increase in State Pension age from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The transition is scheduled to begin with people born from April 6, 1977, while those born from April 6, 1978 onwards are currently expected to reach State Pension age at 68.
The timetable follows the earlier increase from 66 to 67, which is due to be completed by 2028. However, the future schedule remains subject to periodic government reviews, and any changes would need to follow the applicable legal process.
For people planning their retirement, the most reliable approach is to check their individual State Pension age, review their National Insurance record and keep their retirement plans flexible. The published dates provide a useful starting point, but official government guidance should remain the reference for decisions about when to claim benefits and how to prepare financially.
