New regulations affecting free bus pass eligibility for state pensioners in England come into force this July, following the rollout of legislation that began in April. The State Pension age across the UK is gradually rising from 66 to 67, with the transition starting on April 6, 2026, and scheduled for completion in 2028. This change affects everyone born after April 6, 1960.
People celebrating their 66th birthday during this transitional phase will face an extended wait not only for their State Pension but also for their free bus pass in England. In England, free bus pass entitlement is linked to the State Pension age, although this does not apply to London residents, who can access free travel on buses, trains, and other transport services from age 60.
Next Stage of Increase Begins in July
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed to The Express that free bus pass eligibility will adjust in line with the rising State Pension age. The next stage of the increase begins this month for those born between July 6, 1960, and August 5, 1960. According to the DWP schedule, pensioners in this group will experience an additional four-month delay before accessing their State Pension and free bus pass. For example, someone born on July 6, 1960, will become eligible for both on November 6, 2026, at age 66 years and four months.
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.'
Gradual Delay Based on Birthday
The delay extends by one month at a time for each subsequent birth month. Those reaching 66 from August 6 will face a five-month delay, from September 6 a six-month wait, and so on until the transition to age 67 is complete. Consequently, some individuals will receive their free bus pass closer to age 66, while others may be nearly 67 before becoming eligible. Anyone born after March 5, 1961, will qualify for a free bus pass in England from age 67.
The DWP has confirmed the following timetable for the State Pension age increase from 66 to 67, showing when people with birthdays between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, can claim their State Pension and free bus pass:
- 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
DWP Statement on the Change
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.'
