When Department for Work and Pensions unveiled the next step in Britain’s pension reform – a climb from 66 to 67 years between 2026 and 2028 – millions of workers suddenly found their retirement clock pushed forward.
The move, codified in the Pensions Act 2014, targets anyone born on or after in the United Kingdom. It isn’t a single‑day jump; the increase will roll out in monthly slices, meaning a baby‑boomer born on 6 April 1960 will hit pension age at 66 years + 1 month, while a child of 5 May 1960 will wait 66 years + 2 months, and so on until the final cohort turns 67 in late 2028.
What the New Timeline Looks Like
The State Pension age increase to 67United Kingdom follows a precise timetable published on GOV.UK. Here are the key birth‑date windows:
- 6 April 1960 – 5 May 1960: pension age at 66 y + 1 m (reaching it in May 2026)
- 6 May 1960 – 5 June 1960: pension age at 66 y + 2 m (June 2026)
- …continuing in one‑month increments…
- 6 March 1977 – 5 April 1977: pension age at 67 y (April 2028)
In total, about 10 million people – roughly a sixth of the working‑age population – will see their retirement delayed by up to two years. The DWP has promised a personalised letter well before each individual’s new eligibility date.
Why the Government Is Raising the Age
According to Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the shift is a response to longer life expectancy and a looming fiscal gap.
"We need a pension system that reflects the fact people are living, on average, a decade longer than they did in the 1970s," Stride told Daily Record on 12 March 2024.
The 2023 review, commissioned by the UK Government, modelling showed the scheme would otherwise cost taxpayers an extra £30 billion a year by 2040. Raising the age, even gradually, spreads the burden across future cohorts.
Financial Impact on Future Pensioners
Standard Life’s April 2025 State Pension Changes report noted a 4.1 % rise in the full new State Pension – now £230.25 a week, up from £221.20. The basic pension for those who retired before April 2016 rose to £176.45 from £169.50.
However, the timing matters. Because the triple‑lock guarantee (which ties pension rises to the highest of earnings, prices or wages) restarts each March, anyone whose pension age slips into 2026‑2028 may miss the 2026 uplift if they’re not yet drawing. In practice, that could shave off roughly £5‑£7 a week for a marginal cohort.
On the other hand, the delay also means many will keep working longer, potentially boosting their National Insurance record and nudging their eventual pension higher. The official State Pension age calculator (hosted on GOV.UK) now factors in the new windows, helping people plan.
Reactions from Experts and the Public
Financial adviser Jenna Wallace of Wallace & Co Wealth warned: "If you were counting on a 2026 retirement, you’ll need to reassess your savings target. The rule of thumb is to add roughly 10 % more to your pot for each year you push back."
Trade unions, meanwhile, have expressed concern that low‑paid workers may be hit hardest. The Unison statement on 5 May 2024 called the move "a burden on those already struggling to make ends meet" and urged the government to pair the rise with targeted tax relief.
Ordinary citizens are divided. A poll by YouGov in June 2024 found 48 % support the increase as a necessary financial safeguard, while 38 % felt it was unfair given the cost of living pressures.
What Comes Next: Future Increases and Reviews
Beyond 2028, the next scheduled jump – from 67 to 68 – is pencilled in for 2044‑2046, according to the Turn2us pension guidance. The 2025 review, however, could accelerate that timeline if life‑expectancy trends continue upward.
For now, the DWP says the 2026‑2028 schedule is "firm" and that all affected people will receive a letter at least six months before their new pension date. The agency also reminds workers they can continue beyond their state pension age – the old default retirement age of 65 no longer exists in UK employment law.
- Key Facts
- Increase from 66 to 67 takes effect in stages from 2026 to 2028.
- Applies to anyone born on/after 6 April 1960.
- About 10 million UK residents will be affected.
- Full new State Pension now £230.25 per week (April 2025).
- Future increase to 68 projected for 2044‑2046.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the new pension age affect people born in 1965?
Someone born in 1965 will move from a pension age of 66 years (expected in 2031) to 67 years, meaning they’ll start receiving their State Pension around 2032. The shift adds roughly one extra year of contributions, which can boost the eventual weekly amount by a few pounds, depending on National Insurance record.
Will the increase delay access to other benefits, like free bus travel?
Yes. Free bus travel for seniors is tied to the State Pension age. Those whose pension age is pushed to 67 will also have to wait an extra year before qualifying for the concession, unless a local authority offers separate senior discounts.
What steps should individuals take to prepare?
First, use the State Pension age calculator on GOV.UK to confirm the exact date. Then, review retirement savings, consider extending employment, and explore any available tax‑relief schemes. Financial advisers recommend adding at least 10 % more to retirement pots for each year of delay.
How is the increase funded and why is it necessary?
The extra year of work means higher National Insurance contributions and a later start to pension payouts, easing the projected £30 billion annual shortfall. The 2023 review, commissioned by the UK Government, concluded that without the rise, the State Pension fund would become unsustainable by 2040.
Could future reviews bring the age up to 68 sooner than 2044?
Potentially. The 2025 review opened the door for an earlier hike if life‑expectancy trends accelerate. While the current legislation pins the 67‑to‑68 rise at 2044‑2046, the government retains the power to amend the schedule after the next statutory review.
