The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the state pension age is rising for people born in two specific years. The increase is being phased in over three tax years, starting from April 2026.
The state pension age began to rise from 66 in April 2026 and will reach 67 in April 2028. However, the change does not happen on a single date for everyone. The age at which people can claim their state pension depends on their date of birth.
Who is affected?
The increase affects people born on or after April 6, 1960. For those born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961, the state pension age rises in monthly steps. This means some people will reach state pension age at 66 years and one month, while others will have to wait until they are 66 years and 11 months.
People born from March 6, 1961 onwards are currently due to reach state pension age at 67, according to the Pensions Act 2014.
Government statement
The Government said about the increase: "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."
It also noted that the way the increase is phased has changed, so rather than reaching state pension age on a specific date, people born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will reach it at 66 years and a specified number of months.
State Pension age timetable
- 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
You can check your state pension age on GOV.UK by entering your date of birth.
