Overview

• The State Pension age will increase from 66 to 67 starting in April 2026, affecting those born between March 6, 1961, and April 5, 1977, with full implementation by 2028.
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has started sending advance notification letters to individuals impacted by the change, ensuring they are informed well ahead of time.
• State Pension rates were uprated by 4.1% in April 2025, bringing the full basic State Pension to £176.45 per week and the full new State Pension to £230.25 per week.
• Experts advise pensioners to contact the DWP to check for unclaimed entitlements, which could unlock additional benefits worth up to £80 per week.
• The Office for Budget Responsibility projects that raising the State Pension age to 67 by 2029–30 will save the UK Treasury £10.4 billion, helping to address fiscal sustainability concerns.