The State Pension age in the UK is gradually increasing from 66 to 67, affecting new pensioners born after July 6, 1960. The phased rise, which began on April 6, 2026, introduces one-month increments over two years, delaying when individuals can start claiming their State Pension from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Who Is Affected by the State Pension Age Increase?
Anyone born between July 6, 1960, and August 5, 1960, will face an extra four-month wait before they can claim their State Pension. For example, someone born on July 6, 1960, will become eligible on November 6, 2026, at exactly 66 years and four months old. The delay increases by one month for each subsequent birth month, with those turning 66 in September 1960 facing a six-month wait.
DWP Timetable for State Pension Age Rise from 66 to 67
According to the DWP, the following timetable applies for people born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961:
- 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
Government Explanation for the Change
The DWP 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." The Government also altered the phasing so that people born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, reach State Pension age at 66 years plus a specified number of months, rather than on a single date.
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.
