A new rule affecting free bus pass eligibility for state pensioners in England is underway in August following a law change. The UK State Pension age is currently in the process of rising from age 66 to 67, with the gradual change beginning earlier this year on April 6. The age increase is being implemented in phases over a two-year period which is due to complete in 2028, affecting anyone born after April 6, 1960.
What the change means for bus pass eligibility
The change means that people with a 66th birthday that falls within the transitionary period not only face a longer wait to become eligible for the State Pension, but those in England also face a delay in getting a free bus pass. Eligibility for a free bus pass in England is linked to State Pension age, so if you have a 66th birthday approaching, the law change means you'll now have to wait until you are 66 and a specified number of months before you can get your free bus pass.
In London, you can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard which allows you to travel free on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail lines in the capital. You must live in a London borough to get it and pay a £36 administration fee to set it up, plus an £18.50 annual address eligibility check fee for each year you have your photocard to keep it active. Once you reach State Pension age, you can then switch to the free Older Person’s Freedom Pass.
Next phase underway this month
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed to The Express that eligibility for a free bus pass is changing in line with the State Pension age increase, with the next phase now underway this month affecting anyone born between August 6, 1960, and September 5, 1960. According to the DWP timetable, pensioners due to turn 66 between these dates face an extra five-month wait before they can claim their State Pension, and in turn, their free bus pass.
For example, if you were born on August 6, 1960, the age increase means you will become eligible to claim both your State Pension and free bus pass on January 6, 2026, when you are exactly 66 years and five months old.
Official statement
A DfT spokesperson told The Express: “Eligibility for an older person’s bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is linked to State Pension age. This means eligibility will change in line with the increase in State Pension age from April.
“People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth.
“There is a tool to check the date people become eligible for a bus pass at Check your State Pension age - GOV.UK, by entering their date of birth.”
How the delay increases
State Pension eligibility becomes further delayed the later in the year your 66th birthday falls, increasing by one month each time. It means those turning 66 in the month from September 6 face an extra six-month wait, while those turning 66 in the month from October 6 face an extra seven-month wait, and so on until the age rise to 67 is complete.
As such, some people will be closer to age 66 when they can get their free bus pass, while others will be only a month or two away from their 67th birthday by the time they become eligible. Anyone with a birthday after March 5, 1961, will be eligible for a free bus in England from age 67.
Full timetable for State Pension age increase
The DWP has confirmed the following timetable for the increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67, which shows when people with birthdays between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961 can claim their State Pension, and in turn, their free bus pass in England:
- 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 years
The DWP said: "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 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.
