The State Pension age is increasing from 66 to 67 in a phased rise that began in April 2026 and will continue until March 2028. People born in the early 1960s are being urged to check their exact retirement age, as they may not reach State Pension age at 66.
Individuals born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will see their retirement age pushed beyond 66, with the exact date depending on their date of birth. For some, this could mean waiting several extra months before they can start receiving State Pension payments.
Who Is Affected by the State Pension Age Change
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is encouraging people approaching retirement to check their State Pension age so they know exactly when they will become eligible. DWP said: "Between April 2026 and March 2028, the State Pension age will gradually rise from 66 to 67, affecting those born on or after 6 April 1960."
DWP added: "Use the free State Pension age calculator on GOV.UK to find your exact age - you just need your date of birth. You can also use the Check your State Pension forecast tool to see how much you might get and if you can increase it, for example, by filling any gaps in your record."
How to Claim Your State Pension
Another important point is that the State Pension does not start automatically - people must actively claim it when they are nearing State Pension age. The Pension Service usually sends an invitation letter around four months before someone reaches their State Pension age, explaining how to make a claim.
DWP said: "Remember, your State Pension doesn't start automatically. The Pension Service will write to you around four months before you reach State Pension age to invite you to apply."
Checking a State Pension age is quick and can be done online by entering a date of birth into the UK Government’s official State Pension age calculator.
State Pension Amounts and Future Increases
The full New State Pension is now worth £241.30 a week, some £995.20 every four-week payment period. The exact amount someone receives depends on their National Insurance record. Most people need around 35 qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to receive the full New State Pension, while those with fewer years may receive a reduced amount. A minimum of 10 years of NICs is required to qualify for any State Pension payments.
The increase in the State Pension age is part of long-term UK Government plans designed to reflect rising life expectancy and the growing cost of funding pensions. Further increases are already planned, with the State Pension age expected to rise again to 68 in the mid-2040s, although the exact timetable for that change is still under review.
For now, DWP says the priority is ensuring people approaching retirement understand when they will become eligible for the State Pension and how to claim it.
