Overview

• DWP has commissioned a third statutory review, led by Dr Suzy Morrissey, to examine options including Automatic Adjustment Mechanisms that would tie the State Pension age to life expectancy.
• Under current law the age is 66, due to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028 and to 68 between 2044 and 2046, with ministers reiterating that significant changes would come with long notice periods.
• Analysts say linking to longevity could push eligibility toward about 70 for younger cohorts, citing Denmark’s law to reach 70 by 2040 as an example of automatic uprating.
• The RMT has threatened nationwide protests if the age is increased further, and experts warn of harsher effects on manual and frontline workers and regions with lower life expectancy such as Blackpool.
• Advisers highlight that multiple working‑age benefits stop at State Pension age and that many people are blindsided by these switches, as the DWP also reminds that State Pension payments must be actively claimed.