If you are mapping retirement targets, contribution strategy, and consolidation decisions together, use the Pension Planning Hub as your central guide.
Your State Pension age depends on when you were born. Use the tables below to find yours. For most people born between 1954 and 1961, the answer is 66 — but this is already changing. The rise to 67 began in May 2026 and will be complete by March 2028, meaning anyone born after 5 March 1961 will need to wait longer than they may have expected.
The increase to 68 remains officially unconfirmed and is subject to a further government review. For now, treat 67 as the likely floor for anyone born after April 1977.
Read more: See our State Pension guide for a complete overview of this topic.
State Pension Age: Quick Reference
The tables below cover all birth year groups. If you are approaching State Pension age, the transition section is the most important — it shows the phased rise from 66 to 67 that is taking place right now. If you are much younger, the 67 threshold is likely to apply to you, with the position on 68 still to be determined.
Already Reached State Pension Age
| Date of birth | State Pension age | Already reached? |
|---|---|---|
| Before 6 October 1954 (men) | 65 | Yes |
| Before 6 July 1951 (women born before 6/4/1950) | 60 | Yes |
| 6 April 1950 – 5 April 1953 (women) | 60–64 (phased increase) | Yes |
| 6 April 1953 – 5 December 1953 | 63–65 (phased increase) | Yes |
| 6 December 1953 – 5 October 1954 | 65–66 (phased increase) | Yes |
State Pension Age: 66
| Date of birth | State Pension age |
|---|---|
| 6 October 1954 – 5 March 1961 | 66 |
State Pension Age: 66 to 67 (Transition Period — 2026 to 2028)
This is the group most affected right now. If you were born between 6 March 1961 and 5 February 1962, your State Pension age is somewhere between 66 and 67 — it is not a clean number. The exact date depends on your specific date of birth. The government’s online calculator at gov.uk/state-pension-age will give you a precise date once you enter your birthday.
People in this group are reaching their State Pension age throughout 2027 and 2028. If you are in this cohort and have been planning around age 66, check your specific date — it will be later than you might have assumed.
| Date of birth | State Pension age | Approximate date you’ll reach SPA |
|---|---|---|
| 6 March 1961 | 66 years, 1 month | May 2027 |
| 6 April 1961 | 66 years, 2 months | June 2027 |
| 6 May 1961 | 66 years, 3 months | August 2027 |
| 6 June 1961 | 66 years, 4 months | October 2027 |
| 6 July 1961 | 66 years, 5 months | December 2027 |
| 6 August 1961 | 66 years, 6 months | February 2028 |
| 6 September 1961 | 66 years, 7 months | April 2028 |
| 6 October 1961 | 66 years, 8 months | June 2028 |
| 6 November 1961 | 66 years, 9 months | August 2028 |
| 6 December 1961 | 66 years, 10 months | October 2028 |
| 6 January 1962 | 66 years, 11 months | December 2028 |
| 6 February 1962 | 67 years | February 2029 |
| 6 March 1962 onwards | 67 | 67th birthday |
State Pension Age: 67
For people born from 6 March 1962 onwards, State Pension age is a straightforward 67. There is no transition — you simply reach your pension on your 67th birthday. This group includes everyone currently in their 40s and early 50s.
| Date of birth | State Pension age |
|---|---|
| 6 March 1962 – 5 April 1977 | 67 |
State Pension Age: 67 to 68 (Future — Dates TBC)
| Date of birth | State Pension age | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 6 April 1977 onwards | 67 to 68 | Government review pending — no confirmed timetable |
Note: The increase from 67 to 68 was originally planned for 2044–2046 but has been deferred. A future government review will confirm the dates.
For those born after April 1977, the honest answer is that we do not yet know when you will reach State Pension age. The government has indicated 67 is the minimum, but a further review will determine whether and when the rise to 68 takes effect. Pension planning at 40 or 45 should assume at least 67, and potentially 68, as a working assumption. The most resilient approach is to build enough in private and workplace pensions that the exact State Pension date is not the critical factor.
How to Check Your Exact State Pension Age
The government’s online tool is the fastest and most reliable way to get your exact State Pension date. It accounts for the phased transition rules and gives you a specific date rather than an approximate one. It will also show your State Pension forecast — how much you would receive based on your current National Insurance record.
It takes about two minutes and you will need your National Insurance number. If you do not know it, see our guide on finding your NI number.
| Method | Detail |
|---|---|
| Online calculator | gov.uk/state-pension-age — enter your date of birth |
| State Pension forecast | gov.uk/check-state-pension — see your forecast amount and date |
| Call DWP | 0800 731 0175 (State Pension claim line) |
Key Dates Summary
| Change | Date range |
|---|---|
| Women’s SPA equalised at 65 | November 2018 |
| SPA increased from 65 to 66 | December 2018 – October 2020 |
| SPA increasing from 66 to 67 | May 2026 – March 2028 |
| SPA increasing from 67 to 68 | TBC (originally 2044–2046, now under review) |
What If You Can’t Work Until State Pension Age?
Not everyone can remain in work until they reach State Pension age — and with the age rising, the gap between when people are able to work and when they can claim the pension may widen. If you are in your early 60s and unable to continue working, there are income options to bridge that gap.
Private and workplace pensions can normally be accessed from age 55 (rising to 57 from 2028), which gives a potential income bridge of several years before the State Pension begins. Means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit can provide additional support depending on your circumstances.
| Situation | Options |
|---|---|
| Unemployed | Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit |
| Too ill to work | ESA or PIP |
| Caring for someone | Carer’s Allowance |
| Low income | Pension Credit (from State Pension age) |
| Private/workplace pension | May be accessible from age 55 (rising to 57 from 2028) |
Deferring Your State Pension
Deferring means simply choosing not to claim your State Pension when you first become eligible — perhaps because you are still earning and do not need it, or because you want a higher weekly income later. You do not need to notify anyone in advance; you simply do not claim it.
The increase of roughly 5.8% per year of deferral is guaranteed and inflation-proof — your entire State Pension, including the deferred amount, continues to rise with the triple lock each year. The question of whether to defer depends mainly on your health, your other income, and how long you expect to live. The break-even point is typically around 17 years of claiming — so if you defer for one year and start claiming a year later, you need to live roughly 17 years past State Pension age to recoup the missed year through higher payments.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Can you defer? | Yes — you don’t have to claim at State Pension age |
| Increase rate | 1% for every 9 weeks you defer (~5.8% per year) |
| Example | Defer for 1 year: £230.25/week × 5.8% = £13.35/week extra for life |
| Backdated lump sum | You can claim up to 12 months backdated (at the rate you would have received) |
| Tax | The extra pension is taxable as income |
| Worth it? | Generally yes if you have other income and are in good health |
For a full analysis of whether deferring makes sense for your situation, see our State Pension forecast guide and our guide on State Pension and working.
Related Guides
- State Pension UK — Amounts, Eligibility and How It Works
- State Pension Amount 2026/27 — How Much Will You Get?
- State Pension Forecast — How to Check Yours Online
- How to Fill National Insurance Gaps for State Pension
- NI Voluntary Contributions — Should I Buy Extra Years?
- Should I Pay Voluntary NI Contributions?
- State Pension and Working — Do You Still Pay NI?
- National Insurance Qualifying Years Calculator
- National Insurance Explained UK
- Pension Credit Guide UK 2026
- Carer’s Allowance Guide
- Pension Planning Hub
- How Much Pension Do I Need to Retire UK?
- Retirement Planning at 50 UK
- Taking Your Pension — Annuities, Drawdown and Options
- Annuity Guide UK
- Pension Tax-Free Lump Sum Guide