Overview

• The State Pension age will increase in stages from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028, covering people born from March 6, 1961 to April 5, 1977.
• Because the change is phased, some new retirees will not be paid at exactly 66 and could wait several months beyond their birthday to start receiving their pension.
• Ministers have rejected petitions to lower eligibility to 60, and the triple lock remains pledged for this Parliament.
• An official review is under way, with commentators suggesting the move to 68 in 2044–46 could be brought forward, and researchers cautioning that later ages hit lower‑income, manual workers and carers hardest.
• Advisers urge people to prepare by building private savings, checking their State Pension age on GOV.UK, using Citizens Advice guidance, and watching for DWP letters sent in advance.