Millions of people in the UK are set to face a higher State Pension age as the qualifying age rises from 66 to 67. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is phasing in the change between 2026 and 2028, meaning the exact date someone can claim their State Pension will depend on their date of birth.
The change does not apply to everyone at once. Instead, the pension age increases gradually by one month for successive groups of people born from April 1960 onward. For those approaching retirement, checking the exact State Pension age can help with financial planning and decisions about when to stop working.
Changes
The State Pension age is currently 66, but it is scheduled to increase to 67 in stages between April 2026 and March 2028.
People born after April 5, 1960, are among those affected by the phased increase. The first groups will reach State Pension age at 66 years and one month, followed by groups whose qualifying age rises by another month.
For example, someone born between April 6 and May 5, 1960, reaches State Pension age at 66 years and one month. Those born between May 6 and June 5, 1960, reach it at 66 years and two months.
The increase continues through successive birth-date groups until the State Pension age reaches 67.
Dates
The Government timetable sets out the following State Pension ages for people born during the transition period:
| Date of Birth | State Pension Age |
|---|---|
| April 6-May 5, 1960 | 66 years, 1 month |
| May 6-June 5, 1960 | 66 years, 2 months |
| June 6-July 5, 1960 | 66 years, 3 months |
| July 6-August 5, 1960 | 66 years, 4 months |
| August 6-September 5, 1960 | 66 years, 5 months |
| September 6-October 5, 1960 | 66 years, 6 months |
| October 6-November 5, 1960 | 66 years, 7 months |
| November 6-December 5, 1960 | 66 years, 8 months |
| December 6, 1960-January 5, 1961 | 66 years, 9 months |
| January 6-February 5, 1961 | 66 years, 10 months |
| February 6-March 5, 1961 | 66 years, 11 months |
People born between March 6, 1961, and April 5, 1977, are currently scheduled to reach State Pension age at 67.
The exact qualifying date matters because reaching age 66 does not necessarily mean a person in the transition groups can immediately claim the State Pension.
Future
The increase to 67 was legislated for under the Pensions Act 2014. A further increase to 68 is currently provided for in legislation between 2044 and 2046.
That future change would affect people born from April 6, 1977, onward under the existing timetable. However, the schedule is not necessarily fixed permanently.
State Pension age is reviewed by the Government to consider factors such as changes in life expectancy and the long-term sustainability of the pension system. The Government launched its third State Pension age review in 2025 to examine whether the existing timetable remains appropriate.
This means people who are decades away from retirement should treat the current timetable as the existing position rather than assuming it cannot change.
Claiming
Reaching State Pension age does not automatically result in a payment. The DWP has reminded people that they need to claim their State Pension.
The Pension Service normally contacts people around four months before they reach State Pension age. This provides information about how to make a claim and the steps involved.
People can also use the Government’s State Pension age calculator to check their individual qualifying date. The service can provide information based on a person’s exact date of birth rather than relying on general age ranges.
Checking early can be useful because the State Pension is an important part of retirement income for many households. Knowing when it starts allows people to consider how they will fund the period between leaving work and receiving the pension.
Planning
The rise in State Pension age means some people will need to plan for a longer period before their State Pension begins. Depending on personal circumstances, this could involve continuing to work, using private pensions or drawing on other savings.
It is also important to distinguish State Pension age from the age at which someone chooses to stop working. The two do not have to be the same. A person can retire before reaching State Pension age, provided they have other sources of income to support them.
The Government’s online calculator can also show when someone may qualify for Pension Credit and other age-related support, including eligibility information for free bus travel.
For people born from 1960 onward, the key issue is the exact date of birth. The transition from 66 to 67 is being phased in rather than introduced on a single date. Checking the official State Pension age can therefore give a clearer picture of when payments may begin.
With the State Pension age already scheduled to reach 67 by 2028, and a further increase to 68 currently legislated for the 2040s, retirement planning remains closely linked to future pension rules. The ongoing Government review could also influence the timetable in the years ahead.
FAQs
When is State Pension age rising to 67?
The increase from 66 to 67 is phased in between 2026 and 2028.
Who is affected by the increase?
People born after April 5, 1960 are affected by the phased increase.
When will State Pension age reach 67?
It is scheduled to reach 67 by March 2028.
Will State Pension start automatically?
No. Eligible people normally need to make a claim.
