28th December 2025
Under current UK law, the State Pension age (SPA) the earliest age you can start claiming the State Pension is rising from 66 to 67 for both men and women. This change is already legislated and will happen on a phased basis between 6 April 2026 and 5 April 2028.
That means:
If you were born after 6 April 1960, you will reach your SPA at age 67.
For people born between April 1960 and April 1961, the SPA increases gradually (with specific dates based on birth month) until reaching 67.
People born after 5 April 1961 will have SPA at age 67.
This planned rise from 66 to 67 was set in law by the Pensions Act 2014 — and hasn't just been announced; it is scheduled and widely confirmed by official sources.
Why the Government Is Doing This
The main reasons given for raising the SPA are:
Increased Life Expectancy
People are living longer on average, which means they spend more years drawing a pension relative to their working lives. Raising the SPA helps keep the system sustainable.
Financial Sustainability
An ageing population increases long-term public spending on pensions. Increasing SPA lowers future pension costs, helping public finances.
Legal Requirement
Under the Pensions Act 2014, the government must review the SPA periodically and decide whether planned increases remain appropriate; the most recent review confirmed the 66→67 rise.
Who Is Affected — By Date of Birth
Here's a general guide:
Birth Date State Pension Age
Before 6 April 1960
66 (no change)
6 April 1960 - 5 April 1961
Gradually between 66 + months → 67
6 April 1961 and after 67
The exact SPA depends on your date of birth — you can check your personal age on the official GOV.UK calculator.
What Happens After Age 67?
Planned Future Increases Already in Law
Under current legislation:
The State Pension age will rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046 for people born on or after April 1977.
This 68-age increase is already written into law, but there are ongoing reviews that could bring that timetable forward — meaning it might happen earlier than 2044-46.
Ongoing Reviews
The government is conducting regular State Pension age reviews to assess whether the timing is still appropriate given updated life expectancy and economic conditions. The latest one — led by independent experts and the Government Actuary — will consider future changes, which might include moving the 68-age increase earlier than currently legislated.
Parliament must approve any change before it becomes law, and typically at least 10 years’ notice is given before a new pension age date applies.
What This Means for People Approaching Retirement
If You’re Already Near 66
You will need to wait slightly longer to claim the State Pension — up to age 67 depending on your birth date.
Planning Considerations
Many workers will need to adjust retirement planning (private pensions, savings, work plans) to account for the extra year.
Benefits like Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Credit only become available from the State Pension age, so timing changes affect when these support payments start.
Some people approaching retirement might not realise this change; awareness levels vary and some may need support adjusting their plans.
State Pension age will rise from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028 — legally confirmed.
People born after April 1960 will be affected, with individuals born after April 1961 reaching SPA at 67 years.
Future increases (to 68+) are possible and under review, but Parliament must approve any changes.