The Government has confirmed there are no plans to reduce the State Pension age to 65, despite a petition signed by more than 80,000 people. The response comes as the Third State Pension age Review is underway to decide what State Pension age is appropriate for future decades.
Currently, the State Pension age stands between 66 and 67, depending on the date of birth. For those born after April 6, 1977, the age is 67, and it is scheduled to rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The full new UK State Pension pays £241.30 per week in 2026/27, equating to £12,547.60 per year. Retirees on the older basic State Pension receive £184.90 per week, or £9,614.80 per year.
Petition calls for reduction to 65
A petition on the Government website, started by Michelle Gill on September 16, calls for the age to be cut to 65 so people can 'retire with dignity and avoid hardship' while freeing up more jobs for young people. At the time of writing, it has 80,385 signatures. The Government is required to respond once a petition reaches 10,000 signatures.
The petition reads: "Reduce the state pension age to 65. We believe this could mean people can retire with dignity and avoid hardship. We also think it could free up jobs for younger workers entering the labour market. Many aged 65–67 face poor health, caring pressures, and limited work options, which we think is unfair."
Government response and review
The Department for Work & Pensions responded bluntly, saying it had no intention of reducing the age. The full response read: "There are no plans to reduce State Pension age to 65."
The response added: "We are fortunate today that more people are reaching older ages: life expectancy has risen rapidly over the past century, driven by breakthroughs in medical treatments and generally healthier lifestyles. Office for National Statistics life expectancy projections show that in 2026, men aged 66 in the UK can be expected to live on average a further 19.3 years, and women aged 66 a further 21.9 years; by 2046, it is projected that this will have increased by an additional 1.6 years. State Pension age policy takes account of the fact that people are living longer and our society is ageing."
The response continued: "State Pension age is now gradually rising from 66 to 67. This increase began in April 2026 and will complete in March 2028. Increases to State Pension age have been in legislation since the Pensions Act 1995. As longevity has increased and our society aged, State Pension age rises have maintained fairness between generations and protected the public finances."
The DWP said the Third State Pension age Review will consider a wide range of evidence, including ONS life expectancy projections, findings from the Government Actuary, independent reports from Dr. Suzy Morrissey and the Pensions Commission, and lessons from previous increases.
Triple lock and tax implications
The State Pension is on course to break the £13,000 barrier soon, with a £488 rise predicted in April 2027. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has proposed ending the triple lock as currently known from 2030. The triple lock guarantees that the State Pension will increase by whichever is highest out of average wage growth, inflation, or 2.5 per cent. Mr Burnham wants to use the money raised to fund a new national care service. Forecasts suggest state pension spending, already at £154bn this year, could go up by a further £600m a year by 2029/30. Some experts say the savings could amount to £15bn a year by 2040.
The current £12,547.60 per year figure means the State Pension comes in just under the £12,570 personal allowance, meaning it is not subject to tax. However, even a modest increase next year would take it over that figure, making it liable for income tax. Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves promised that the Government would not make pensioners whose only source of income was the State Pension pay tax or be forced to fill out a tax return. Pensions minister Torsten Bell said in September: "In line with the commitment made at Budget 2025, pensioners who only just the exceed the personal allowance will not pay small amounts of tax in this parliament which we know is an administrative burden." The Chancellor will set out further details on how that commitment will be delivered at the Budget.
