The State Pension age is gradually increasing from 66 to 67, and the exact date people can claim depends on when they were born. The phased increase began in April 2026 and will continue until 2028, with the precise State Pension age for people affected determined by their date of birth.
State Pension age timetable by date of birth
Under the official State Pension age timetable, people born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, will reach State Pension age at different points between their 66th and 67th birthdays. Anyone born from March 6, 1961, to April 5, 1977, has a State Pension age of 67.
The current State Pension age timetable by date of birth is:
- 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
This means someone born between September 6 and October 5, 1960, for example, reaches State Pension age at 66 years and six months rather than on their 66th birthday. People can check their individual State Pension age using the UK Government's online service.
MPs' concern over the change
The change has recently been examined by the Work and Pensions Committee, which warned that increasing the State Pension age could leave some people approaching retirement struggling financially while they wait longer to qualify for pension-age support. Its Transition to State Pension Age report, published during the summer, called for additional support for 66-year-olds affected by the increase.
The Committee warned that the increase could be particularly difficult for people who are unable to remain in work until they reach their new State Pension age. The report published by the cross-party group of MPs said a growing number of 66-year-olds could have to rely on working-age benefits for longer as the change takes effect.
MPs highlighted the difference between Universal Credit and the support available after reaching State Pension age. The Committee said the standard Universal Credit allowance was around £425 a month, while Pension Credit guarantees an income of around £1,031 a month for a single pensioner.
It recommended the UK Government consult on temporarily increasing Universal Credit for 66-year-olds, with a view to introducing additional support by the end of 2026 while longer-term options are considered. The Committee also pointed to evidence from the previous State Pension age increase which found the poverty rate among people in the year before State Pension age rose from 10 per cent to 24 per cent.
It estimated that providing additional Universal Credit support to 66-year-olds would cost around £600million, compared with estimated savings of £10.5billion from increasing the State Pension age to 67.
Will the State Pension age rise again?
Under current legislation, the State Pension age is due to increase again from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. People born from April 6, 1978, currently have a State Pension age of 68, while there is another phased timetable for those born between April 6, 1977, and April 5, 1978.
The UK Government periodically reviews State Pension age, meaning the timetable for future increases can be reconsidered. For now, however, the legislated timetable remains an increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028, followed by the increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
