The State Pension age in the UK is rising from 66 to 67, a change that will delay payments for new pensioners born after July 6, 1960. Those affected will not receive their first payment immediately upon turning 66 but must wait an additional number of months, depending on their birth date. The full new State Pension, boosted by a 4.8% triple lock increase in April 2026, now stands at £241.30 per week, equating to £965.20 every four weeks for those with a full National Insurance record.
Phased Increase and Timetable
The increase, mandated by the Pensions Act 2014, is being implemented gradually over two years from April 6, 2026. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published a detailed timetable showing the delay in months for each birth cohort. For example, individuals born between July 6 and August 5, 1960, must wait four months after their 66th birthday, becoming eligible on November 6, 2026. The delay increases by one month for each subsequent birth month, up to 11 months for those born between February 6 and March 5, 1961.
Impact on Payment Eligibility
The DWP confirmed that the State Pension age for men and women will increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. A spokesperson stated: "The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The State Pension age for men and women will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028." For those born after April 5, 1969, but before April 6, 1977, the State Pension age was already set at 67 under the Pensions Act 2007.
Full Timetable for Births from April 1960 to March 1961
The DWP timetable specifies the exact age at which individuals can claim their State Pension:
- April 6, 1960 – May 5, 1960: 66 years and 1 month
- May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960: 66 years and 2 months
- June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960: 66 years and 3 months
- July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960: 66 years and 4 months
- August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960: 66 years and 5 months
- September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960: 66 years and 6 months
- October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960: 66 years and 7 months
- November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960: 66 years and 8 months
- December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961: 66 years and 9 months
- January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961: 66 years and 10 months
- February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961: 66 years and 11 months
- March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977: 67 years
The Government changed the phasing so that instead of reaching State Pension age on a specific date, those born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, reach it at 66 years plus a specified number of months.
