The UK’s state pension age is rising to 67 – and experts say another hike could come years earlier than planned
In a move set to reshape retirement plans for millions, the UK’s state pension age is officially climbing from 66 to 67, with the phased rollout kicking off in April 2026 and wrapping up by March 2028.
This adjustment, long in the pipeline, comes amid mounting pressures on public finances, but financial experts are sounding the alarm that the next increase, to 68, might arrive far sooner than the current 2044-2046 timeline, potentially hitting in the late 2030s or early 2040s.
Who is affected by the state pension age rise to 67?
The UK’s state pension age is now rising from 66 to 67. The phased rollout begins on 6 April 2026 and is set to complete by 6 March 2028, as confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and recent government timetables.
This long-legislated change, first outlined in the Pensions Act 2014, targets anyone born on or after 6 April 1960. The DWP has ramped up awareness campaigns, urging people to use the official state pension age calculator to avoid surprises.
Those affected by the change include:
- Born between 6 April 1960 and 5 May 1960: State pension age at 66 years and 1 month.
- Born between 6 May 1960 and 5 June 1960: 66 years and 2 months.
- The pattern continues, adding roughly one month per birth month group.
- Born from 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977: Full age 67 on their 67th birthday.
- Those born before 6 April 1960 remain unaffected at 66.
For many, this means a delay of several months to over a year in accessing the state pension compared to previous expectations.
Driving these increases are soaring life expectancies and the ballooning cost of the state pension, now topping £150 billion annually.
The triple lock mechanism, guaranteeing annual rises by the highest of inflation, earnings, or 2.5%, has supercharged the state’s pension bill, adding an estimated £15.5 billion more per year by 2029-30 than if pensions had simply tracked wages.
Accelerating the jump
Experts from think tanks like the Resolution Foundation argue for accelerating the jump to 68 as early as 2037-2039 to offset these costs, a proposal echoed in past government reviews but delayed amid political sensitivities.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies points out that earlier plans to advance the 68 threshold were shelved in 2023, with decisions postponed until after the general election.
More recently, the House of Commons Library briefing on the state pension age review recommends a rise to 68 between 2041 and 2043, with potential further escalations to 69 or beyond if spending caps are enforced.
The government’s third official review, launched in July 2025, is fueling speculation. Led by independent expert Dr. Suzy Morrissey and incorporating life expectancy data from the Government Actuary’s Department, it’s expected to deliver reports later this year, potentially paving the way for earlier changes.
Plan accordingly
For workers, there are clear implications. Delayed access to pensions could mean bridging income shortfalls through private savings, part-time work, or benefits like Pension Credit.
Advocacy groups such as Age UK and the Centre for Ageing Better have voiced concerns, arguing that rapid rises disproportionately hit lower-income groups and those in poor health, calling for safeguards before any acceleration.
With whispers of an even swifter hike to 68 gaining traction, Britain’s retirement landscape could shift again sooner than anyone expects.
