What is happening to the State Pension age in 2026?
The State Pension age increase from 66 to 67 is now under way. Under the timetable confirmed by GOV.UK and set in legislation, the transition runs between May 2026 and March 2028.
People born before 6 April 1960 normally retain a State Pension age of 66. Those born from 6 April 1960 to 5 April 1961 have a State Pension age between 66 and 67, while people born from 6 April 1961 generally reach State Pension age at 67 under current law.
Important: State Pension age is not the same as retirement age. You can usually stop working earlier if your finances allow, but you cannot claim your State Pension before the date set by law.
GOV.UK provides an individual State Pension age checker. Use it alongside Pension Credit guidance if you are approaching retirement on a low income.
UK State Pension age increase timetable
The table below summarises the statutory transition for people born between April 1960 and April 1961. The age bands are taken from the State Pension age timetable published by GOV.UK.
| Date of birth | State Pension age |
|---|---|
| Before 6 April 1960 | 66 |
| 6 April to 5 May 1960 | 66 years and 1 month |
| 6 May to 5 June 1960 | 66 years and 2 months |
| 6 June to 5 July 1960 | 66 years and 3 months |
| 6 July to 5 August 1960 | 66 years and 4 months |
| 6 August to 5 September 1960 | 66 years and 5 months |
| 6 September to 5 October 1960 | 66 years and 6 months |
| 6 October to 5 November 1960 | 66 years and 7 months |
| 6 November to 5 December 1960 | 66 years and 8 months |
| 6 December 1960 to 5 January 1961 | 66 years and 9 months |
| 6 January to 5 February 1961 | 66 years and 10 months |
| 6 February to 5 March 1961 | 66 years and 11 months |
| 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977 | 67 |
This is a planning summary, not a personalised entitlement decision. Confirm your exact claim date using the GOV.UK State Pension age checker, particularly if you were born during a transition month.
How the increase can affect benefits and household income
Reaching State Pension age does not automatically start your State Pension. GOV.UK says you normally need to claim it, and the Pension Service should write to you before you become eligible.
The increase may also keep some people within working-age benefit rules for longer. DWP rules generally link the Pension Credit qualifying age to State Pension age, while mixed-age couples usually remain under Universal Credit rules until both partners have reached State Pension age, subject to limited protected exceptions.
- Universal Credit: entitlement may continue until the relevant State Pension age rules apply.
- Pension Credit: eligibility depends on age, income, household circumstances and whether you have a partner.
- Council Tax support: local schemes and assessment rules differ between working-age and pension-age households.
- Housing costs: the route to help may change when you move from working-age benefits to pension-age support.
Run a fresh check through SupportFund’s benefits calculator guidance and review Council Tax support options rather than relying on an assessment completed before your pension date changed.
Planning tip: If your wages end before your State Pension begins, calculate the income gap month by month. Include rent or mortgage payments, Council Tax, energy bills and any private pension commencement date.
Will the State Pension age rise to 68?
Under current legislation, the State Pension age is scheduled to rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046, according to GOV.UK. This later timetable remains subject to future statutory reviews and Parliament could change it through new legislation.
A previous government review considered bringing the rise to 68 forward, but no accelerated timetable was enacted at that point. Treat headlines about proposed dates cautiously: a review recommendation is not the same as a change in law.
The government is required to review State Pension age periodically, considering evidence such as life expectancy and sustainability. Anyone decades from retirement should revisit their forecast regularly rather than building a plan around a single projected date.
What to do before your State Pension date
Start with your official State Pension forecast on GOV.UK. It shows when you can claim and provides an estimate based on your National Insurance record, although future policy or record changes can affect the result.
- Check your exact State Pension age using the GOV.UK calculator.
- Review your National Insurance record through your Personal Tax Account before paying voluntary contributions.
- Ask HMRC or the Future Pension Centre whether filling a gap would actually improve your State Pension.
- Check means-tested support if earnings will stop before pension income begins.
- Prepare a bridging budget covering the months between employment ending and State Pension entitlement.
Do not assume every National Insurance gap should be filled. HMRC records may show a gap, but only an official forecast or specialist confirmation can establish whether paying voluntary contributions is likely to increase your pension.
SupportFund.co.uk helps households identify emergency support, benefit options and ways to reduce essential bills while managing an income transition. You can also use the household budget planner to map the period before your first pension payment.
Check before acting: Benefit rules, pension timetables and eligibility conditions can change. Confirm current rates and rules on GOV.UK before making retirement, contribution or benefit decisions.