State Pension Age to Rise in 2026 – What You Need to Know Now
So, there's a significant change coming that could affect when millions of people across the UK get their hands on their State Pension — and it's happening sooner than many expected. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially confirmed that the State Pension age will begin to rise again from 2026. Right now, men and women can claim their pension at age 66, but starting next year, that will gradually increase to 67.
If you were born after April 6, 1960, you're going to be impacted by this shift. And it's not an all-at-once jump — it's being phased in over two years, from 2026 to 2028. So, depending on exactly when your birthday falls between April 1960 and March 1961, you could see a delay of a few months — or almost a full year — before you're eligible to start claiming your pension. For example, someone born in April 1960 will reach pension age at 66 years and 1 month, while someone born in March 1961 will only get theirs at 66 years and 11 months.
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It’s all part of a plan set in motion by the Pensions Act 2014, which brought this age increase forward by eight years. The reason behind the move? Longevity. People are living longer, and the government says this puts pressure on public finances. They argue that adjusting the pension age helps keep the system sustainable.
But here’s the part that’s making people anxious — for those born after April 5, 1977, the State Pension age will already be 67. And there’s another potential hike on the horizon: between 2044 and 2046, it’s expected to go up to 68. That means younger generations will likely have to work even longer before receiving any retirement income from the government.
Still, some good news: the DWP says that anyone affected by the changes will receive formal notice by post in advance, and the phased timetable ensures a smoother transition. You can even check your own retirement age using the government’s online State Pension calculator to get the exact month and year when you’ll become eligible.
This change does mean that even if you're eligible at 66, you might not get paid right on your birthday — you could have to wait several more months. And remember, to claim the full new State Pension, you need at least 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions. If you’ve got gaps in your record, it might be worth looking into voluntary contributions.
All in all, if you’re planning your retirement, now’s the time to double-check your timeline. The rules are changing — and you don’t want to be caught off guard.
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