The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the state pension age will increase from 2026 with the change being gradually introduced over a year
Lucy John and Claire Schofield
12:16, 10 Jul 2025
DWP confirms new state pension rules starting next year affecting thousands(Image: holgs via Getty Images)
Individuals born after April 1960 will face a delay in receiving their state pension due to an age-rule change set to take effect next year. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the state pension age will rise from 2026, with the change being gradually introduced over a year.
Currently, both men and women can claim the state pension when they reach 66, but from next year this age will increase to 67. The existing state pension age was established between December 2018 and October 2020, having risen from 65, and now another increase will occur between 2026 and 2028.
The age increment to 67 will be implemented in stages and will affect when individuals born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, can claim their state pension. As those born within these dates fall into the transition period, it means some will be nearing 66 when they receive their state pension while others will be almost 67 by the time they receive their first payment, reports Wales Online.
Despite the age increase, these individuals will still be able to access their state pension at 66, but not immediately after their 66th birthday. The phased age increase implies that people will reach state pension age at 66 years plus a specified number of months, effectively delaying their payment, according to the Express.
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson stated: “The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the state pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The state pension age for men and women will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028.
“The government also changed the way in which the increase in state pension age is phased so that rather than reaching state pension age on a specific date, people born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, will reach their state pension age at 66 years and the specified number of months. For people born after April 5, 1969, but before April 6, 1977, under the Pensions Act 2007, state pension age was already 67.”
The DWP’s schedule outlines that the state pension age will rise from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028:
- Born between April 6, 1960 and May 5, 1960 – reach state pension age at 66 years and one month
- Born between May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960- reach state pension age at 66 years and two months
- Born between June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960- reach state pension age at 66 years and three months
- Born between July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960 – reach state pension age at 66 years and four months
- Born between August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960 – reach state pension age at 66 years and five months
- Born between September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960 – reach state pension age at 66 years and six months
- Born between October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960 – reach state pension age at 66 years and seven months
- Born between November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960 – reach state pension age at 66 years and eight months
- Born between December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961 – reach state pension age at 66 years and nine months
- Born between January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961 – reach state pension age at 66 years and 10 months
- Born between February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961 – reach state pension age at 66 years and 11 months
- Born between March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977 – reach state pension age at 67
People born after April 5, 1977, are due to receive their state pension at 67, with plans indicating a further increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046, affecting younger cohorts.
The DWP claims that the age increments take into account various factors, including life expectancy, and any changes must be approved by Parliament to take effect. Currently, there are no plans to alter the timetable for the increase from 66 to 67, but the progression from 67 to 68 “could change” following a review.
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