The State Pension age will rise from 66 to 67 between now and March 2028.Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?

People are being urged to check their State Pension age after the long-planned increase from 66 to 67 started last month. The phased rise over the next two years means people born in the early 1960s may not reach retirement at 66 and will instead see their State Pension age determined by their date of birth.

The State Pension age is increasing from 66 to 67 between now and March 2028. People born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will see their retirement age pushed beyond 66, with the exact age depending on when they were born.

For some, this could mean waiting several extra months before they can start receiving State Pension payments.

READ MORE: State Pension age rise leaves thousands waiting longer for paymentsREAD MORE: Full New State Pension payments depend on this number of qualifying years

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is encouraging people approaching retirement to check their State Pension age so they know exactly when they will become eligible.

DWP said: “Between April 2026 and March 2028, the State Pension age will gradually rise from 66 to 67, affecting those born on or after 6 April 1960.

“Use the free State Pension age calculator on GOV.UK to find your exact age – you just need your date of birth. You can also use the Check your State Pension forecast tool to see how much you might get and if you can increase it, for example, by filling any gaps in your record.”

Another important point is the State Pension does not start automatically – people must actively claim it when they are nearing State Pension age.

State Pension Rates 2026/27

Full New State Pension

  • Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)
  • Four-weekly pay period: £965.20
  • Annual amount: £12,547

Full Basic State Pension

  • Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)
  • Four-weekly pay period: £739.60
  • Annual amount: £9,614

Other State Pension rates

  • Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)
  • Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)

The new payment rates started on April 6.

The Pension Service usually sends an invitation letter around four months before someone reaches their State Pension age, explaining how to make a claim.

DWP said: “Remember, your State Pension doesn’t start automatically. The Pension Service will write to you around four months before you reach State Pension age to invite you to apply.”

Checking a State Pension age is quick and can be done online by entering a date of birth into the UK Government’s official State Pension age calculator.

The full New State Pension is now worth £241.30 a week, some £995.20 every four-week payment period.

The exact amount someone receives depends on their National Insurance record.

Most people need around 35 qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to receive the full New State Pension, while those with fewer years may receive a reduced amount. You need 10 years of NICs to qualify for any State Pension payments.

The increase in the State Pension age is part of long-term UK Government plans designed to reflect rising life expectancy and the growing cost of funding pensions.

Further increases are already planned, with the State Pension age expected to rise again to 68 in the mid-2040s, although the exact timetable for that change is still under review.

For now, DWP says the priority is ensuring people approaching retirement understand when they will become eligible for the State Pension and how to claim it.

Check your State Pension age

Check your State Pension age to find out when you can retire and claim State pension using the free online tool at GOV.UK here.

This will tell you:

  • when you will reach State Pension age
  • your Pension Credit qualifying age

We have a dedicated section for the latest news on the State Pension here.

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