The UK State Pension age is changing. It’s currently rising from 66 to 67, and a further increase to 68 is legislated but the timing is under review. Here’s the full timeline and what it means for your retirement planning.
Read more: See our State Pension guide for a complete overview of this topic.
Current State Pension Age
As of 2026, the State Pension age is in transition:
| Date of birth | State Pension age | When you can claim |
|---|---|---|
| Before 6 April 1960 | 66 | Already reached |
| 6 April 1960 – 5 March 1961 | 66 to 67 (transitional) | April 2026 – March 2028 |
| 6 March 1961 – 5 April 1977 | 67 | From your 67th birthday |
| 6 April 1977 onwards | 67, possibly 68 | 68 rise not yet confirmed |
The Rise to 67: Detailed Timeline
The increase from 66 to 67 is happening gradually between 2026 and 2028:
| Date of birth | State Pension age | Approximate date you can claim |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Apr 1960 – 5 May 1960 | 66 years, 1 month | May 2026 |
| 6 May 1960 – 5 Jun 1960 | 66 years, 2 months | Jul 2026 |
| 6 Jun 1960 – 5 Jul 1960 | 66 years, 3 months | Sep 2026 |
| 6 Jul 1960 – 5 Aug 1960 | 66 years, 4 months | Nov 2026 |
| 6 Aug 1960 – 5 Sep 1960 | 66 years, 5 months | Jan 2027 |
| 6 Sep 1960 – 5 Oct 1960 | 66 years, 6 months | Mar 2027 |
| 6 Oct 1960 – 5 Nov 1960 | 66 years, 7 months | May 2027 |
| 6 Nov 1960 – 5 Dec 1960 | 66 years, 8 months | Jul 2027 |
| 6 Dec 1960 – 5 Jan 1961 | 66 years, 9 months | Sep 2027 |
| 6 Jan 1961 – 5 Feb 1961 | 66 years, 10 months | Nov 2027 |
| 6 Feb 1961 – 5 Mar 1961 | 66 years, 11 months | Jan 2028 |
| 6 Mar 1961 onwards | 67 | 67th birthday, from Mar 2028 |
Anyone born on or after 6 March 1961 has a State Pension age of 67.
The Rise to 68: What We Know
The increase from 67 to 68 is legislated under the Pensions Act 2014, but the timing has been subject to multiple reviews:
| Proposals | Timeline for rise to 68 |
|---|---|
| Original legislation (2014) | 2044–2046 |
| Cridland Review (2017) | 2037–2039 |
| 2023 government decision | Maintained 2044–2046 (pending further review) |
| Review launched 2025 | Still underway as of September 2026 — no conclusion published |
| OBR July 2026 fiscal risks report | Treasury confirmed to the OBR that its current policy position is 2037–2039 (specifically 2039) — not yet legislated, and not the same as a confirmed government decision |
What If the Rise to 68 Is Brought Forward?
The Treasury has told the OBR that its current policy intention is a Cridland-style accelerated timetable of 2037–2039, but the government has not enacted this in law and the ongoing State Pension age review has not concluded. The current legislated position remains:
| Date of birth | SP age under current law |
|---|---|
| 6 Mar 1961 – 5 Apr 1977 | 67 |
| 6 Apr 1977 – 5 Apr 1978 | 67 to 68 (by 2044–2046, under review) |
| After 5 Apr 1978 | 68 |
The government typically gives at least 10 years’ notice before implementing changes.
Historical State Pension Age Changes
Understanding the history helps predict future changes:
| Period | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Before 2010 | 65 | 60 |
| 2010–2018 | 65 | Gradually increasing to 65 |
| Nov 2018 – Oct 2020 | 65 to 66 | 65 to 66 |
| Oct 2020 – present | 66 | 66 |
| 2026–2028 | Rising to 67 | Rising to 67 |
The acceleration of women’s State Pension age from 60 to 66 was controversial and led to the WASPI campaign. Many women born in the 1950s had little notice of the change. In December 2024, the government confirmed it would not pay compensation to affected women, rejecting the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s recommendation that it should.
How State Pension Age Reviews Work
The government is legally required to review the State Pension age at least every 6 years. Reviews consider:
| Factor | Impact on decision |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy trends | Higher life expectancy → higher SP age |
| Healthy life expectancy | If people aren’t healthy enough to work longer, SP age may not rise |
| Regional differences | Life expectancy varies significantly across UK |
| Affordability | State pension cost as % of GDP |
| Fairness | Impact on different socioeconomic groups |
| International comparisons | What other countries are doing |
Planning Around Uncertainty
If you’re in your 40s or 50s, your State Pension age could still change. Here’s how to plan:
| Your age now | Best approach |
|---|---|
| 55+ | State Pension age is confirmed at 66-67. Plan with certainty |
| 45-55 | Very likely 67. Plan for 67, prepare for possible 68 |
| 35-45 | Probably 67-68. Plan for 68 as your base case |
| Under 35 | Could be 68-69. Don’t rely on state pension timing |
What This Means for Retirement Savings
If State Pension age rises to 68, you need to either:
- Work an extra year to bridge the gap
- Save an extra £12,000–14,000 in your pension or ISA to cover one year of living costs
- Access workplace pension earlier — most allow access from 55 (rising to 57 from 2028)
How to Check Your State Pension Age
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK calculator | gov.uk/state-pension-age — enter your date of birth |
| State pension forecast | gov.uk/check-state-pension — includes your SP age |
| Phone | Future Pension Centre: 0800 731 0175 |