Overview

• The State Pension age will rise from 66 to 67 in a phased rollout from 2026 to 2028, with a further increase to 68 scheduled for 2044–46 under existing law.
• People born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 will qualify for the State Pension at age 67 under the updated cohort timetable.
• New DWP analysis reports record average exit ages from work at 65.8 for men and 64.7 for women in 2025.
• About 876,000 people aged 50–64 are either unemployed and searching or inactive but willing to work, and experts warn many in manual roles, poor health or with caring duties may struggle to work longer.
• Those affected will be notified by the DWP, GOV.UK tools can check entitlement and timing, HMRC’s digital service has processed over 10,000 pension top‑up payments worth £12.5m, and a new Pension Commission will report on longer‑term policy in 2027.