Overview

• The move from 66 to 67 is set in law to roll out between April 2026 and April 2028 for those born from March 6, 1961 to April 5, 1977.
• The Department for Work and Pensions says it has no plans to lower eligibility to 60 or link payments to 48 hours on the National Living Wage, despite a petition with more than 16,000 signatures.
• Former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb says phasing will create non‑whole‑year eligibility ages, with some new retirees facing waits of up to five months before their first payment.
• The DWP reaffirms the Triple Lock, forecasting state pension spending to be about £31 billion a year higher by the end of this Parliament compared with 2024/25.
• The scheduled rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046 remains in place, though analysts note the timeline is under review and could be brought forward, with any change requiring Parliament’s approval.