DWP 2026 State Pension Age Change – What’s Happening and Who’s Affected?
Is your retirement age approaching? If you were born after April 1960, there are critical changes to be aware of that could affect when you receive your State Pension.
Beginning in 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will implement a phased increase in the State Pension age, raising it from 66 to 67 over a two-year period.
This change is not sudden but forms part of a long-standing government plan to align the pension system with increasing life expectancy and the financial demands of an ageing population.
Currently, both men and women in the UK are entitled to claim their State Pension when they reach the age of 66. However, under the Pensions Act 2014, the timetable for increasing the State Pension age has been accelerated.
The government confirmed that the increase to 67, which was originally planned for a later date, will now occur between April 2026 and April 2028. This amendment brings the schedule forward by eight years, a significant shift driven by evolving demographic and economic realities.
Who Will Be Affected by the DWP’s 2026 Pension Age Change?
This policy change will primarily affect individuals born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, placing them within what is now being referred to as the “transition period”. For this group, the State Pension age will no longer be a flat 66 years, but will be calculated more precisely, depending on the exact date of birth.
In practical terms, this means someone born in April 1960 might start receiving their State Pension at 66 years and 1 month, while someone born closer to March 1961 may have to wait nearly until they are 67 years old.
The result is a staggered rollout that incrementally delays pension payments for those in this bracket.
The DWP has confirmed that individuals in this transition phase will not become eligible for their State Pension immediately upon turning 66, even though the official qualifying age remains unchanged until the change fully takes effect.
This nuanced approach to eligibility effectively delays pension payments without officially declaring an across-the-board increase for this group. It ensures that those most affected have some lead time to adjust their financial planning, but it also underscores the importance of understanding one’s specific entitlement age.
How Will the Pension Age Increase Be Phased In?
The rise in State Pension age will not apply uniformly or instantaneously. Instead, the change will be phased in using a gradual month-by-month approach over a period of two years. This ensures that those affected do not experience an abrupt shift and that the DWP can manage administrative processes more efficiently.
The table below summarises the phased structure of the new State Pension age increase:
| Date of Birth | New State Pension Age |
| 6 April 1960 – 5 May 1960 | 66 years and 1 month |
| 6 May 1960 – 5 June 1960 | 66 years and 2 months |
| 6 June 1960 – 5 July 1960 | 66 years and 3 months |
| 6 July 1960 – 5 August 1960 | 66 years and 4 months |
| 6 February 1961 – 5 March 1961 | 66 years and 11 months |
| After 5 March 1961 | 67 years |
This structured increase continues monthly, and the DWP has published the full breakdown on its website. Importantly, people born after 5 April 1961 will not fall under this phased rollout they will instead begin receiving their pension only upon turning 67.
What Is the Reason Behind the Age Rule Change?
The increase in State Pension age is part of a broader policy to maintain the sustainability of the UK pension system.
With average life expectancy rising and people drawing pensions for longer periods, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure the long-term affordability of State Pensions. By gradually increasing the age of eligibility, the government aims to balance fairness with financial responsibility.
The DWP has stated that any changes to the State Pension age are informed by a range of factors, including life expectancy, public finances, and the ability of the working-age population to support those in retirement.
Furthermore, all pension age changes must be passed through Parliament, ensuring legislative oversight and public transparency.
The increase from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028 was set out under the Pensions Act 2014, while those born after 5 April 1977 are already expected to retire at 67, as laid out in the earlier Pensions Act 2007.
There is also a proposed future increase to 68, currently scheduled for between 2044 and 2046, although this could be brought forward, pending further review.
What Will Happen to Those Born After April 1977?
For individuals born after 5 April 1977, the State Pension age will rise to 67 automatically, as part of previously enacted legislation.
They will not be impacted by the gradual rollout occurring between 2026 and 2028. However, this group is likely to be among the first affected by any subsequent changes specifically, the expected rise to 68 in the mid-2040s.
This further increase is not yet final and is subject to the outcome of a scheduled review in 2027. The government has indicated that this timetable is under continuous evaluation and could change depending on new data around life expectancy and fiscal health.
While the increase to 68 is not yet law, younger generations should prepare for the possibility of further delays to their State Pension access.
How Can People Check Their Pension Age and Prepare?
One of the most effective steps individuals can take is to verify their specific State Pension age using the State Pension Age Calculator on the GOV.UK website.
This tool provides an accurate estimate based on your date of birth and gender, and it can help individuals better align their retirement plans with the official schedule.
It’s also essential to review your National Insurance contributions. To qualify for the full new State Pension, individuals must have made 35 years of contributions.
A minimum of 10 years is required to receive any State Pension at all. If there are gaps in your contribution history, you may be able to make voluntary contributions to fill them.
Proper financial planning should take into account the possibility of delays, especially for those born in the early 1960s who might otherwise assume they’ll receive their pension on their 66th birthday. Knowing the revised schedule can prevent surprises and enable better retirement planning.
Can You Retire Before Your State Pension Age?
Yes, individuals may choose to retire before reaching the State Pension age, but they will not receive any State Pension payments until they reach the official qualifying age.
If you decide to stop working early, you must rely on private savings, personal pensions, or employer pension schemes to bridge the income gap.
Alternatively, individuals can choose to defer claiming their State Pension even after becoming eligible. Deferring your State Pension results in an increased weekly payment.
For every nine weeks you defer, your State Pension increases by 1%, which equates to roughly 5.8% more per year. This strategy can be beneficial for those who remain in good health and do not immediately need the income.
What’s Next for the UK State Pension System?
Looking beyond 2028, the government has proposed a further increase in the State Pension age to 68, with implementation expected between 2044 and 2046.
However, this timetable is under active review. The next official pension age review will take place in 2027, during which the case for accelerating or delaying the rise to 68 will be evaluated.
The DWP emphasises that any further changes must go through Parliament and will be informed by ongoing analysis of public health data, economic forecasts, and social equity considerations.
For now, while the increase to 67 is confirmed and scheduled, the future of additional changes remains to be determined.
FAQs About the DWP State Pension Age Change
What age will I get my State Pension if I was born in 1960?
If you were born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, your State Pension age will fall somewhere between 66 years and 1 month and 66 years and 11 months, depending on your exact birthdate.
How do I check when I’ll receive my State Pension?
You can use the State Pension Age Calculator on the GOV.UK website to enter your date of birth and get your exact pension age.
Is the increase to age 67 already law?
Yes, the increase from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028 is already part of UK legislation under the Pensions Act 2014.
Will everyone eventually have to wait until 68?
A rise to 68 is planned for between 2044 and 2046, though this is under review and may change after the 2027 review process.
Can I get my State Pension earlier if I’m in poor health?
While some benefits are available to those in poor health or with disabilities, the State Pension is not generally accessible before reaching the qualifying age, regardless of health status.
Will my pension amount change with the age increase?
No. Your State Pension amount depends on your National Insurance contributions, not on your age. However, deferring your pension can increase your weekly payment.
What if I want to stop working before my pension age?
You can retire early but will need to rely on private pensions or savings until your State Pension kicks in at the new qualifying age.
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