Millions of people are being urged to check when they will be able to claim their state pension as the retirement age continues to rise. The state pension age is gradually increasing from 66 to 67, with the change being phased in between 2026 and 2028. It means people approaching retirement could have to wait several months longer than their 66th birthday before they become eligible for payments.
Under the Government’s timetable, people born between September 6, 1960 and October 5, 1960 reach state pension age at 66 years and six months. The next group affected are those born between October 6, 1960 and November 5, 1960, who will reach State Pension age at 66 years and seven months.
The increases continue in stages depending on a person’s date of birth.
Those born between November 6 and December 5, 1960 will have a State Pension age of 66 years and eight months, while people born between December 6, 1960 and January 5, 1961 will have to wait until 66 years and nine months.
People born between January 6 and February 5, 1961 will reach State Pension age at 66 years and 10 months, followed by 66 years and 11 months for those born between February 6 and March 5, 1961.
Anyone born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 has a State Pension age of 67 under the current timetable.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been encouraging people to check their State Pension age ahead of the changes.
The State Pension is not paid automatically, with the Pension Service normally sending an invitation letter around four months before someone reaches their State Pension age.
The amount retirees receive is also expected to rise again next April under the triple lock.
The triple lock guarantees that the state pension increases each year by whichever is highest out of average earnings growth, September’s Consumer Prices Index inflation figure or 2.5%.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed total average earnings increased by 3.9% in the three months from May to July 2026.
If that figure is used for next year’s triple lock, the full new State Pension is expected to rise from £241.30 a week to around £250.70 from April 2027.
That would take the annual amount from £12,547.60 to around £13,027, an increase of almost £489 a year. Meanwhile, the full basic State Pension could rise from £184.90 to around £192.10 a week, or just under £10,000 a year.
However, the final increase has not yet been confirmed, as September’s inflation figure still needs to be taken into account. Whichever of inflation, earnings growth or 2.5% is highest will determine the increase applied from April 2027.
