On 6 April 2026, the UK State Pension age officially began rising from 66 to 67. The phased increase runs for two years and will be fully implemented by 5 April 2028. At the same time, the full new State Pension has risen by 4.8% to £241.30 per week — an increase of over £11 a week — under the triple lock.
The change is the result of the Pensions Act 2014 and affects anyone born on or after 6 April 1960. For millions of people in their early 60s, the goalposts have moved — in some cases by more than a year.
Who is affected
| Date of Birth | New State Pension Age |
|---|---|
| Before 6 April 1960 | 66 (unchanged — no impact) |
| 6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961 | Between 66 years 1 month and 66 years 11 months (phased in) |
| 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977 | 67 |
| 6 April 1977 onwards | Currently scheduled to rise further — see below |
The phasing works roughly one month at a time. Someone born in July 1960, for example, reaches State Pension age at 66 years and 7 months — meaning they wait about seven months longer than they would have done under the old rules.
How much is the State Pension in 2026?
- Full new State Pension (for those reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016): £241.30 per week, or approximately £12,548 per year
- Full basic (old) State Pension (for those who reached State Pension age before April 2016): £184.90 per week
The 4.8% uplift was driven by average weekly earnings growth for May–July 2025, under the triple lock guarantee. Because earnings outpaced inflation (3.8% CPI) and the 2.5% minimum, earnings growth won.
The tax trap to watch
The full new State Pension at £12,548 is now only £22 below the tax-free Personal Allowance of £12,570. If you have even modest additional income — a part-time job, a small private pension, or savings interest — you will likely pay some income tax in 2026/27.
The Personal Allowance has been frozen at £12,570 since 2021 and is currently set to remain frozen until at least 2028. If State Pension continues to rise faster than frozen thresholds, a growing number of pensioners will pay income tax for the first time in retirement.
What about the next rise to 68?
Under current legislation, the State Pension age is already scheduled to rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. However, the Government has commissioned a new State Pension Age Review, led by Dr Suzy Morrissey, which will report by March 2029.
The review will examine whether the rise to 68 should be brought forward. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said it is "right" to scrutinise the age at which people can claim the State Pension as life expectancy rises, and that the review is necessary to keep the system "sustainable and affordable".
AJ Bell's Rachel Vahey has noted that without policy intervention, State Pension costs are projected to rise from 5.2% of GDP today to nearly 8% of GDP within 50 years.
What should you do now?
- Check your State Pension age using the GOV.UK "Check your State Pension age" service.
- Get a State Pension forecast — the online tool at GOV.UK tells you how much you are on track to receive and whether you have gaps in your National Insurance record.
- Check for NI credits — parents, carers and those between State Pension age and Child Benefit cut-off may be eligible for credits that boost their entitlement.
- Plan for the tax position — if you have a private pension or other income, model how much tax you will pay once you add State Pension to the mix.
- If you are approaching retirement — review when your State Pension actually starts, not when you expected it to. A delay of even a few months affects retirement cash flow.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. State Pension rules and ages are subject to change. Always check GOV.UK for the most current information and consider speaking with an FCA-regulated financial adviser about your retirement plans.
FAQ
When does my State Pension actually start?
Under the new rules, you reach State Pension age on a specific date tied to your date of birth. Use the "Check your State Pension age" tool on GOV.UK for your exact date.
Do I have to claim my State Pension as soon as I reach State Pension age?
No. You can defer, and your pension will increase by 1% for every nine weeks you delay claiming — about 5.8% per year.
Will State Pension keep rising under the triple lock?
The triple lock is government policy rather than a permanent legal commitment. It has been maintained through successive Budgets, but could be changed by any future government.
