UK State Pension age increase to 67 and claim timetable, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): The State Pension age is currently increasing from 66 to 67, meaning some people nearing retirement will need to wait several months after their 66th birthday before they can claim. The phased rise began in April 2026 and runs until 2028, with the exact State Pension age for those affected depending on their date of birth.
Under the official State Pension age timetable, people born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, will reach State Pension age at various points between their 66th and 67th birthdays. Those born from March 6, 1961, to April 5, 1977, will have a State Pension age of 67.
The Daily Record reports that the change has recently been examined by the Work and Pensions Committee, which warned that increasing the State Pension age could leave some people nearing retirement facing financial hardship as they wait longer to become eligible for pension-age support. Its Transition to State Pension Age report, published during the summer, called for additional support for 66-year-olds affected by the increase.
The increase from 66 to 67 is being introduced gradually rather than changing on the same day for everyone. The current timetable by date of birth runs from 66 years and one month for those born between April 6 and May 5, 1960, rising month by month to 66 years and 11 months for those born between February 6 and March 5, 1961.
Those born from March 6, 1961, to April 5, 1977, will have a State Pension age of 67.
For example, someone born between September 6 and October 5, 1960, would reach State Pension age at 66 years and six months, rather than on their 66th birthday. People can check their individual State Pension age using the UK Government’s online service.
The Work and Pensions Committee has warned the rise could be especially challenging for people who cannot stay in work until they reach the new State Pension age. The cross-party group of MPs said a growing number of 66-year-olds could have to rely on working-age benefits for longer as the change takes effect.
MPs pointed to the gap between Universal Credit and the support people receive once they reach State Pension age. The Committee said the standard Universal Credit allowance was around £425 a month, while Pension Credit guarantees an income of around £1,031 a month for a single pensioner.
The Committee recommended that the UK Government consult on temporarily increasing Universal Credit for 66-year-olds, with a view to introducing additional support by the end of 2026 while longer-term options are considered. It also cited evidence from the previous State Pension age increase, which found the poverty rate among people in the year before State Pension age rose from 10 per cent to 24 per cent.
The Committee estimated that boosting Universal Credit support for 66-year-olds would cost about £600 million, compared with projected savings of £10.5 billion from raising the State Pension age to 67.
Under current legislation, the State Pension age is set to rise again from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. People born on or after April 6, 1978, currently have a State Pension age of 68, while a separate phased timetable applies to those born between April 6, 1977, and April 5, 1978.
The UK Government reviews the State Pension age at regular intervals, so the schedule for future increases can be revisited.
For now, the timetable set out in law remains a rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, followed by a further increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
