The State Pension age will gradually increase from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and 2028, affecting millions of people
Major changes to the State Pension age are on the horizon for next year, which could throw a spanner in the works for your retirement plans. The official State Pension age timetable reveals that the government has approved the State Pension age to rise from 66 to 67 for both men and women.
The State Pension age is the youngest age at which an people can start getting funds from the State Pension. So, if you are eyeing up drawing from a personal or workplace pension, your retirement age might differ as these schemes often have different rules compared to the State Pension.
Adjustments to the State Pension age will kick off from April 2026, with tweaks being rolled out between then and 2028. However, another hike from 67 to 68 is also pencilled in to be launched between 2044 and 2046.
But not everyone on the cusp of the State Pension age will feel the pinch from these changes, and whether the change kicks in next April largely hinges on your birth date. A comprehensive list of birth dates affected by the State Pension age shift can be found here – those born between April 6, 1960 and April 5, 1977 will mostly bear the brunt.
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Current State Pension rates
The sum you get from the new State Pension can differ significantly and hinges on your National Insurance contributions record. The full rate of the new State Pension stands at £230.25 a week; though, the real figure could be higher or lower depending on whether you were contracted out, the number of qualifying National Insurance years you have, and if you paid into the Additional State Pension.
Full details can be found here. Currently, you will be entitled to claim the New State Pension when you reach the State Pension age if you’re either a man born on or after 6 April 1951, or a woman born on or after 6 April 1953.
Bear in mind that guidance from Age UK highlights: “State Pension age is going to be kept under review, which means that it could change again in the future. This depends on different factors, such as changes in life expectancy.”
Check your State Pension age online
Your State Pension age marks the earliest point at which you can begin claiming your State Pension. This may not align with the age at which you can tap into a workplace or personal pension.
Individuals of all ages can utilise the online tool available on GOV.UK to determine their State Pension age, an essential step in preparing for retirement. You can use the State Pension age tool to check:
- When you will reach State Pension age
- Your Pension Credit qualifying age
- When you will be eligible for free bus travel
Check your State Pension age online here.