Overview

• The legislated increase will move the State Pension age from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and March 2028, with letters issued to affected cohorts across the UK.
• An online petition with more than 16,000 signatures seeking pension at 60 and a £586 weekly rate was formally rebuffed, with the DWP saying there are no plans to implement either change.
• Under the Triple Lock, payments are currently projected to rise by about 4.7% in 2026/27, taking the full New State Pension to roughly £241.05 a week, subject to confirmation at the Autumn Budget on 26 November.
• A statutory review of future State Pension age rules is underway, led by an independent report from Dr Suzy Morrissey and analysis from the Government Actuary’s Department, with any changes requiring long notice and Parliament’s approval.
• Phoenix Insights warns that bringing forward the rise to 68 could delay retirements for around three million people, as DWP data show about 13 million currently claim the State Pension.