The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that individuals born after April 1977 will face a higher state pension age, with the age legislated to rise from 66 to 67 in phases between April 2026 and 2028. This gradual increase means that people whose 66th birthday falls within the transitional period now face a longer wait to become eligible to claim the State Pension.
Planned Increase to Age 68
A further age increase is planned, affecting anyone born after April 6, 1977. According to the DWP, under the Pensions Act 2007, the State Pension age for men and women will increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 provides for a regular review of the State Pension age at least once every five years, based on the principle that people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a State Pension.
The DWP stated: "As well as life expectancy, it will take into account a range of factors relevant to setting the pension age. After the review has been reported, the government may then choose to bring forward changes to the State Pension age. Any proposals to do so would, like now, have to go through Parliament before becoming law."
Indicative Timetable for Future Changes
In the Autumn Statement on 5 December 2013, the Chancellor announced that future generations should spend up to a third of their adult life in retirement. This principle implies that the State Pension age should rise to 68 by the mid-2030s and 69 by the late 2040s. However, the government is not currently legislating for this change; these dates are indicative only, showing a general direction of travel for future State Pension age changes.
Detailed Timetable for Those Born After April 1977
The timetable for the age change, as confirmed by the DWP, is as follows:
- Born between April 6, 1977 - May 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on May 6, 2044
- Born between May 6, 1977 - June 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on July 6, 2044
- Born between June 6, 1977 - July 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on September 6, 2044
- Born between July 6, 1977 - August 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on November 6, 2044
- Born between August 6, 1977 - September 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on January 6, 2045
- Born between September 6, 1977 - October 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on March 6, 2045
- Born between October 6, 1977 - November 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on May 6, 2045
- Born between November 6, 1977 - December 5, 1977: Reach State Pension age on July 6, 2045
- Born between December 6, 1977 - January 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on September 6, 2045
- Born between January 6, 1978 - February 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on November 6, 2045
- Born between February 6, 1978 - March 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on January 6, 2046
- Born between March 6, 1978 - April 5, 1978: Reach State Pension age on March 6, 2046
- Born on or after April 6, 1978: Reach State Pension age on their 68th birthday
These changes mean that millions of people born after April 1977 will need to plan for a later retirement, with the state pension age rising gradually over the coming decades.
