State pension age changes — what's coming and when.
State pension age is not fixed. It has already risen from 65 to 66, is confirmed to rise to 67, and a further increase to 68 remains on the table. Understanding when your own state pension age falls — and the risk it could be pushed back — is essential for retirement planning.
- ▸State pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. This has been the rate since October 2020, when equalisation was completed.
- ▸The rise to 67 is legislated and confirmed. It affects people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1977. The transition runs from May 2026 to March 2028.
- ▸A further rise to 68 has been proposed. The original timetable (2044–2046) was reviewed, with proposals to bring it forward. As of 2026, no confirmed date for the 68 rise has been legislated.
- ▸If you are born after 1978 or so, your state pension age is genuinely uncertain. Plans may change depending on future governments, longevity data, and fiscal pressure.
- ▸Use the state pension age calculator to find the confirmed or indicative age for your specific date of birth.
Current state pension ages by birth date
State pension age is determined by date of birth. Here is the confirmed position as of April 2026:
| Birth date | State pension age |
|---|---|
| Before 6 April 1960 | 66 (already reached) |
| 6 April 1960 – 5 April 1977 | Between 66 and 67 (transitional, rising gradually 2026–2028) |
| 6 April 1977 onwards | 67 (once the transition is complete) |
The equalisation of state pension age between men and women was completed in October 2020, when the last women born before 6 October 1954 reached 66. That process (which began the rise from 60 to 65 for women) was contentious and affected the WASPI campaigner group — women born in the 1950s who had less notice of the change than they felt they needed.
State pension age applies to the new state pension and the old basic state pension equally. You cannot draw either before your individual state pension age.
Use our state pension age calculator to find the confirmed date for your exact birth date.
The planned rise to 67
The rise from 66 to 67 is confirmed in law. It is not a proposal — it will happen. The timetable:
- People born on 6 May 1960 are the first affected — their state pension age is 66 years and 1 month (May 2026 instead of April 2026)
- The transition runs gradually, with state pension age rising by one month for each additional month of birth date, until those born from 6 April 1977 onwards reach state pension age at 67
If you were born in the 1960s or early 1970s, your state pension age is somewhere between 66 and 67. Check the exact date using the state pension age calculator — there is no simple rule of thumb during the transitional window.
Every month of additional delay is a month of missed pension income. For people close to the transition boundary, it is worth knowing the precise date.
Uncertainty around the 68 timeline
The rise to 68 is where firm facts end and political uncertainty begins.
The Pensions Act 2014 included a provision to review state pension age at regular intervals using updated longevity data. The first major review recommended bringing the 68 rise forward from 2044–2046 to 2037–2039. Subsequent reviews and government responses have been inconsistent — the Labour government elected in 2024 did not commit to implementing the earlier timetable.
As of April 2026, the legislated state pension age cap remains 67 for those born from 1977 onwards. No law has been passed setting a date for the 68 rise. However:
- There is strong fiscal pressure to raise state pension age as the state pension cost grows
- Future governments may legislate changes with limited notice
- If you are born after around 1978, you should treat your state pension age as potentially subject to revision
The Department for Work and Pensions is required to review state pension age every six years. The next review period, combined with ongoing fiscal pressures, makes further changes likely at some point.
How to plan if your SPA might change
If you are in your 40s or early 50s, planning around a fixed state pension age of 67 is reasonable but carries a risk of needing adjustment. Practical steps:
Model two scenarios. Run your retirement plan with state pension age at 67 and at 68. The difference in state pension income between the two scenarios is roughly one year's worth — about £11,502 at current rates. If your private provision can bridge that gap, the state pension age uncertainty matters less.
Do not rely on the state pension as your only income bridge. Anyone planning to retire before state pension age will need private pension or other savings to cover the gap. The longer the potential gap — particularly if state pension age rises to 68 or beyond — the more important it is to have a flexible private pot alongside the state pension.
Keep accumulating qualifying years. If you are still working, each year adds to your NI record. A higher state pension entitlement is worth more regardless of whether you receive it from 66, 67, or 68.
Check the state pension forecast. The state pension forecast calculator shows your projected entitlement based on qualifying years — useful as an input to broader retirement planning regardless of when exactly the payment starts.
- ▸State pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, following equalisation completed in October 2020. [gov.uk]
- ▸The rise to 67 is legislated. It applies to people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1977, with the transition running from May 2026 to March 2028. [gov.uk]
- ▸A rise to 68 has been proposed and reviewed but not legislated as of April 2026. The original legislated timetable was 2044–2046; proposals to bring it forward have not been enacted. [gov.uk]
- ▸The full new state pension in 2025/26 is £221.20/week (£11,502/yr). Each year of delayed state pension age costs approximately this amount in foregone income. [gov.uk]