The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a major State Pension age increase that will affect anyone born after April 6, 1977, requiring them to wait until age 68 to claim their first payment. The current State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and 2028, but a further increase to 68 is planned between 2044 and 2046.
Early Review Launched Amid Under-Saving Concerns
The DWP has launched an early review of the State Pension age, normally conducted every six years, despite the previous review being completed in 2023. The review could accelerate the timetable for the rise to 68. According to DWP analysis, around 15 million people are undersaving for retirement, particularly affecting the self-employed, low-paid, and some ethnic minorities.
Phased Implementation for Those Born 1977-1978
The increase to 68 will be phased in gradually. People born between April 6, 1977, and April 5, 1978, will have to wait until they turn 68 and accumulate a specified number of months before claiming. The DWP provided a detailed timetable:
- Born April 6, 1977 – May 5, 1977: State Pension age on May 6, 2044
- Born May 6, 1977 – June 5, 1977: State Pension age on July 6, 2044
- Born June 6, 1977 – July 5, 1977: State Pension age on September 6, 2044
- Born July 6, 1977 – August 5, 1977: State Pension age on November 6, 2044
- Born August 6, 1977 – September 5, 1977: State Pension age on January 6, 2045
- Born September 6, 1977 – October 5, 1977: State Pension age on March 6, 2045
- Born October 6, 1977 – November 5, 1977: State Pension age on May 6, 2045
- Born November 6, 1977 – December 5, 1977: State Pension age on July 6, 2045
- Born December 6, 1977 – January 5, 1978: State Pension age on September 6, 2045
- Born January 6, 1978 – February 5, 1978: State Pension age on November 6, 2045
- Born February 6, 1978 – March 5, 1978: State Pension age on January 6, 2046
- Born March 6, 1978 – April 5, 1978: State Pension age on March 6, 2046
- Born April 6, 1978 onwards: State Pension age on 68th birthday
Government Statement on Potential Acceleration
The DWP stated: “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 government is not currently legislating for a change but indicated that future rises could see the age reach 68 by the mid-2030s and 69 by the late 2040s, based on the principle that future generations should spend up to a third of their adult life in retirement.
