The UK State Pension age is increasing from 66 to 67, with the change being phased in between 2026 and 2028. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set out the timetable showing when people born during the transition period will become eligible for their State Pension.
The increase applies to both men and women. For some people, the change will be gradual, with State Pension age increasing by one month at a time. Others will reach State Pension age at 67.
The change is not a new policy. It was legislated through the Pensions Act 2014, which brought forward the increase from 66 to 67 by eight years. The Government is also required to review State Pension age periodically.
Increase
The State Pension age is currently 66 for men and women. It will rise gradually to 67 between 2026 and 2028.
The transition affects people born from April 6, 1960. Those born during the initial part of the transition period will reach State Pension age between 66 years and one month and 66 years and 11 months.
People born from March 6, 1961 onwards in the relevant group will reach State Pension age at 67.
This means that the date of birth is particularly important when determining when someone can claim their State Pension.
Timetable
The DWP’s timetable sets out the gradual increase for people born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961.
| Date of birth | State Pension age |
|---|---|
| April 6, 1960 – May 5, 1960 | 66 years, 1 month |
| May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960 | 66 years, 2 months |
| June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960 | 66 years, 3 months |
| July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960 | 66 years, 4 months |
| August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960 | 66 years, 5 months |
| September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960 | 66 years, 6 months |
| October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960 | 66 years, 7 months |
| November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960 | 66 years, 8 months |
| December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961 | 66 years, 9 months |
| January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961 | 66 years, 10 months |
| February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961 | 66 years, 11 months |
| March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977 | 67 years |
The timetable means that people in the first group will not all reach State Pension age on the same date. Instead, their qualifying age increases in monthly steps.
Birthdates
The DWP has highlighted a specific group whose State Pension age is determined by the phased increase.
People born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will reach State Pension age between 66 years and one month and 66 years and 11 months, depending on their date of birth.
For people born from March 6, 1961 through the later dates covered by the current timetable, State Pension age is 67.
The DWP says the phased approach was introduced so that the increase could be implemented progressively rather than moving everyone to the higher pension age on one date.
Planning
For people affected by the change, the higher State Pension age can have a direct effect on retirement planning.
Someone who expected to receive the State Pension at 66 may need to fund an additional period before becoming eligible. This could mean continuing to work, using workplace or private pension savings, or relying on other household income during the gap.
The effect will depend on individual circumstances. Someone with a workplace pension that can be accessed before State Pension age may have more flexibility than someone who relies heavily on the State Pension.
Checking the exact State Pension age in advance can therefore help people make more informed decisions about when to stop working and how much private retirement income they may need.
Reviews
The increase to 67 is not expected to be the final change to State Pension age.
A further increase from 67 to 68 is currently scheduled to take place between 2044 and 2046 under existing legislation. However, State Pension age is subject to periodic Government reviews, meaning future arrangements can be reconsidered.
The Government has a legal responsibility to review the pension age and assess whether it remains appropriate in light of factors such as life expectancy and wider economic and social conditions.
This makes the current timetable important, but it does not necessarily represent the final State Pension age for younger workers.
Eligibility
State Pension age determines when someone can become eligible to claim the State Pension, but reaching that age does not by itself determine the amount a person receives.
The amount of State Pension depends on an individual’s National Insurance record and the rules applicable to their circumstances.
People approaching State Pension age should therefore check both their qualifying age and their State Pension forecast. These are separate questions: one determines when the pension can be claimed, while the other provides information about the expected payment.
The Government’s State Pension age calculator can be used to check the relevant pension age based on date of birth.
Notification
The DWP has said that people affected by changes to their State Pension age will receive notification.
However, people do not need to wait for a letter before reviewing their retirement plans. Checking the Government’s online State Pension information can help clarify the expected date and forecast amount.
The increase from 66 to 67 is particularly relevant for people born around the transition period because even a difference of several months can affect when State Pension income begins.
The rise in State Pension age is therefore an important change for people approaching retirement. While the increase to 67 has already been legislated for and will be phased in between 2026 and 2028, the exact age depends on the claimant’s date of birth. Anyone affected should check their individual State Pension age and forecast rather than relying on the general age of 66 or 67. With a further review of State Pension age required in the future, retirement planning also needs to account for the possibility of further changes over the longer term.
