The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a major increase in the State Pension age, affecting anyone born after April 6, 1977. Under current plans, the age will rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046, but an early review could accelerate the timeline.
Current State Pension age changes underway
The State Pension age in the UK is currently rising from 66 to 67, implemented in phases between April 2026 and 2028. This gradual transition affects individuals whose 66th birthday falls within this period, extending their wait for eligibility. However, the DWP has confirmed a further increase is already scheduled for younger generations.
Between 2044 and 2046, the State Pension age is due to rise to 68, meaning those born after April 6, 1977, will face a longer wait before they can claim payments. The DWP has published a detailed timetable showing when individuals with specific birth dates will reach the new pensionable age.
Early review could accelerate the rise to 68
Although the current timetable remains on track, the DWP is conducting an early review that could bring the age increase forward. Normally, a review is carried out every six years, but this third official review began shortly after the previous one concluded in 2023. The review was launched amid concerns that around 15 million adults are under-saving for retirement, particularly among the self-employed, low-paid, and some ethnic minorities.
The Government Actuary has been commissioned to prepare a report on the State Pension age, considering life expectancy data and whether individuals can expect to spend a specified proportion of their adult life in retirement. According to the DWP, any changes to the pension age must go through Parliament before becoming law.
Detailed timetable for the increase to 68
The DWP confirmed the phased implementation for those born between April 6, 1977, and April 5, 1978, with specific dates as follows:
- Born April 6 - May 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on May 6, 2044
- Born May 6 - June 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on July 6, 2044
- Born June 6 - July 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on September 6, 2044
- Born July 6 - August 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on November 6, 2044
- Born August 6 - September 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on January 6, 2045
- Born September 6 - October 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on March 6, 2045
- Born October 6 - November 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on May 6, 2045
- Born November 6 - December 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on July 6, 2045
- Born December 6, 1977 - January 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on September 6, 2045
- Born January 6 - February 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on November 6, 2045
- Born February 6 - March 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on January 6, 2046
- Born March 6 - April 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on March 6, 2046
- Born on or after April 6, 1978: Reach State Pension age on their 68th birthday
DWP statement on the review and future changes
Commenting on the planned increase, a DWP spokesperson said: “Under the Pensions Act 2007, the State Pension age for men and women will increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 provides for a regular review of the State Pension age, at least once every 5 years. The review will be based on the idea that people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a State Pension.”
The spokesperson added: “The government is not planning to revise the existing timetables for the equalisation of State Pension age to 65 or the rise in the State Pension age to 66 or 67. However the timetable for the increase in the State Pension age from 67 to 68 could change as a result of the review.”
In the Autumn Statement on December 5, 2013, the Chancellor indicated that future generations should spend up to a third of their adult life in retirement, implying State Pension age should rise to 68 by the mid-2030s and 69 by the late 2040s. However, these dates are indicative only, and no legislation has been introduced for this change.
