Major changes to the State Pension age are on the horizon, set to impact the retirement timelines for millions across the UK. The government has confirmed that the official age at which people can start receiving their State Pension will increase from 66 to 67, with the transition beginning next year.
When Does the State Pension Age Change Start?
The phased increase is scheduled to commence in April 2026 and will be fully implemented by 2028. This shift means that individuals will need to wait longer to access this government-provided income, which is separate from any personal or workplace pension schemes.
It is crucial to understand that the State Pension age is the minimum age for claiming the State Pension. Your planned retirement date could differ if you have other pension arrangements with their own rules.
Who Will Be Affected by the Rise to 67?
Not everyone approaching retirement will see their plans altered. The change specifically targets those born after a certain date. According to the official timetable, your exact birth date determines when you will reach your new State Pension age.
The increase will be introduced gradually, adding extra months of waiting depending on when you were born. The following outlines the key birth periods and their corresponding State Pension age:
- 6 April 1960 – 5 May 1960: 66 years and 1 month
- 6 May 1960 – 5 June 1960: 66 years and 2 months
- 6 June 1960 – 5 July 1960: 66 years and 3 months
- 6 July 1960 – 5 August 1960: 66 years and 4 months
- 6 August 1960 – 5 September 1960: 66 years and 5 months
- 6 September 1960 – 5 October 1960: 66 years and 6 months
- 6 October 1960 – 5 November 1960: 66 years and 7 months
- 6 November 1960 – 5 December 1960: 66 years and 8 months
- 6 December 1960 – 5 January 1961: 66 years and 9 months
- 6 January 1961 – 5 February 1961: 66 years and 10 months
- 6 February 1961 – 5 March 1961: 66 years and 11 months
- 6 March 1961 – 5 April 1977: 67 years
Anyone born on or after 6 April 1977 will have a State Pension age of 67 from the outset.
Understanding Your State Pension Payment
The amount you receive from the new State Pension is not a fixed sum for everyone. It is calculated based on your individual National Insurance contributions record. To get the full weekly amount of £230.25, you typically need 35 qualifying years of contributions.
Your final payment may be higher or lower depending on factors such as whether you were ever contracted out of the Additional State Pension, or if you have fewer than 35 years of contributions. It is always advisable to check your personal forecast through the government's official channels.
Looking further ahead, a subsequent rise in the State Pension age from 67 to 68 is already planned for the period between 2044 and 2046.
For those currently planning their finances, these changes underscore the importance of reviewing all pension provisions well in advance of your expected retirement date.
