State Pension Age Increases: When Will You Get Yours and What Changes Are Coming

The State Pension age is one of the most consequential numbers in personal finance — the date from which you can begin claiming a guaranteed income from the state, regardless of other assets or income.

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Current State Pension Age

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The State Pension age is currently **66** for both men and women. This equalisation — women's pension age was gradually raised from 60 between 2010 and 2018 — has been the source of significant controversy, with the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign continuing to pursue compensation for women affected by accelerated changes.

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The Rise to 67

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The State Pension age will rise to **67** for people born on or after **5 April 1960**. The transition is gradual:

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– Born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1977: pension age will be 67, phased in between 2026 and 2028 – Those born on 6 October 1960 reach pension age during the transitional period — use the government's State Pension age calculator at gov.uk/state-pension-age to find your exact date

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The Future: Will It Rise to 68?

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The government commissioned a review of the timetable for raising the pension age to 68. The Cridland Review recommended this be brought forward to 2037-39 (affecting those born 1970 or after). The government accepted the recommendation in principle but has not committed to legislation.

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A further review, commissioned in 2023 and reporting in 2024, suggested a later timetable was appropriate given evolving life expectancy data.

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What This Means for Your Planning

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If you are in your 40s or 50s, plan on a pension age of 67 as a base case. If you were born after 1970, a pension age of 68 is a material possibility that should factor into your retirement planning.

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The earlier you start saving privately, the less dependent you are on State Pension timing decisions.

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