The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is raising the state pension age from 66 to 67, with the second group of pensioners affected from July 2026. This increase, enacted under the Pensions Act 2014, is being phased in gradually over three tax years based on date of birth.
Who Is Affected in July 2026?
Those born between May 6, 1960 and June 5, 1960 will reach state pension age at 66 years and 2 months, making them eligible for payments from July to August 2026. This follows the first group (born April 6 to May 5, 1960) who became eligible at 66 years and 1 month from May to June 2026.
Phased Increase Schedule
The monthly incremental phase-in began in April 1960. Key birth date ranges and their corresponding pension ages include:
- April 6 to May 5, 1960: 66 years 1 month (eligible May to June 2026)
- May 6 to June 5, 1960: 66 years 2 months (eligible July to August 2026)
- June 6 to July 5, 1960: 66 years 3 months (eligible September to October 2026)
- July 6 to August 5, 1960: 66 years 4 months (eligible November to December 2026)
Those born after these dates will not receive their state pension until 2027 or 2028, with the full transition to age 67 expected by 2028.
Government Guidance
According to government guidance: “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 guidance adds that “people born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will reach their state pension age at 66 years and the specified number of months.”
Future Review of State Pension Age
The government has announced an early review of the state pension age, ahead of the mandatory six-year cycle. The last review was completed in 2023. Due to pressure on public finances, the next increase to age 68, originally scheduled for the 2040s, could be brought forward depending on the review's conclusions.
