The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the State Pension age will rise to 68 for anyone born on or after April 6, 1977, as part of a phased increase. The current timetable sets the rise between 2044 and 2046, but a government review may accelerate the timeline.
Phased Increase Underway
A change to the State Pension age in the UK has already begun, with the age legislated to rise from 66 to 67 in phases between April 2026 and 2028. This gradual increase means people whose 66th birthday falls within the transitional period now face a longer wait to become eligible to claim the State Pension. A further age increase is planned, affecting those born after April 6, 1977, who will see the age rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
Review and Potential Acceleration
The State Pension age is normally reviewed every six years. While the current timetable remains on track, the DWP is weighing up whether the transition to age 68 should be accelerated, despite the previous review having only been completed in 2023. Last year, ministers revived the Pensions Commission to consider current policy amid concerns that older people are not saving enough for retirement. The Commission will examine why tomorrow’s pensioners are on track to be poorer than today’s and make recommendations for change.
Alongside the Commission, the Government has launched the State Pension Age Review, as required by law. Two independent reports have been commissioned for ministers to consider when deciding the State Pension age for future decades. Dr Suzy Morrissey, deputy director of the Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), will report on factors the government should weigh up relating to State Pension age. The Government Actuary’s Department will prepare a report on the proportion of adult life in retirement.
Timetable for Age 68 Increase
The DWP has confirmed the following timetable for the increase to age 68:
- Born between April 6, 1977 and May 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on May 6, 2044
- Born between May 6, 1977 and June 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on July 6, 2044
- Born between June 6, 1977 and July 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on September 6, 2044
- Born between July 6, 1977 and August 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on November 6, 2044
- Born between August 6, 1977 and September 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on January 6, 2045
- Born between September 6, 1977 and October 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on March 6, 2045
- Born between October 6, 1977 and November 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on May 6, 2045
- Born between November 6, 1977 and December 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on July 6, 2045
- Born between December 6, 1977 and January 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on September 6, 2045
- Born between January 6, 1978 and February 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on November 6, 2045
- Born between February 6, 1978 and March 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on January 6, 2046
- Born between March 6, 1978 and 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
Government Position
Commenting on the planned age increase to 68, the DWP 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 first review must be completed by May 2017. As well as life expectancy, it will take into account a range of factors relevant to setting the pension age. After the review has been reported, the government may then choose to bring forward changes to the State Pension age. Any proposals to do so would, like now, have to go through Parliament before becoming law.”
The DWP 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 5 December 2013, the Chancellor announced that the government believes future generations should spend up to a third of their adult life in retirement. This principle implies that State Pension age should rise to 68 by the mid-2030s, and 69 by the late 2040s. However, the government is not currently legislating for this change – these dates are indicative only, showing a general direction of travel for future State Pension age changes.
