The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the UK state pension age will rise from 66 to 67 in stages, beginning with a change on December 6, 2026. This affects individuals born on or after December 6, 1960, who will have to wait longer to receive their State Pension.
Phased Increase Details
The increase is being introduced gradually, with different groups affected on a month-by-month basis. Those born on December 6, 1960 or later will face the change. Instead of receiving their State Pension upon turning 66, this group will be required to wait until they reach 66 years and a specified number of months.
Individuals born between November 6, 1960 and December 5, 1960 will reach their state pension age at 66 years and eight months. Those born between December 6, 1960 and January 5, 1961 will wait a month longer, reaching state pension age at 66 years and nine months.
Groups Affected in the New Year
The remaining three groups will be affected in the New Year. Those born between January 6, 1961 and February 5, 1961 will reach their state pension age at 66 years and 10 months. Individuals with birthdays falling between February 6, 1961 and March 5, 1961 will reach state pension age at 66 years and 11 months. The final group comprises those born from March 6, 1961 onwards, for whom the state pension age is set at 67 years.
Official Statement and Background
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 DWP added: "The Government also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so that rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will reach their State Pension age at 66 years and the specified number of months. For people born after 5 April 1969 but before 6 April 1977, under the Pensions Act 2007, State Pension age was already 67."
