When Department for Work and Pensions announced that the current State Pension age sits at 66, most Britons shrugged—it’s what they’d expected. But the real twist is that, starting 6 May 2026, the age will creep up to 67 and eventually hit 68 for those born after April 1977. The change isn’t just a number; it reshapes retirement plans for millions.
Why the Age is Moving Again
Back in July 2025, the government kicked off the third statutory review of the State Pension age under the Pensions Act 2014. Dr. Suzy Morrissey, leading the independent arm of the review, explained that life‑expectancy data from the Government Actuary's Department now shows people living longer, healthier lives. "If we keep the pension age static, the system becomes financially unsustainable," she told a parliamentary committee on 12 July 2025.
Age UK, a charity that advocates for older adults, backed the move, citing its own guide published in early 2025 that projected a 2‑year rise would align benefits with demographic trends. The gradual approach—raising the age month‑by‑month until it reaches 67 in April 2028—aims to give the workforce time to adjust.
Rate Increases: The Triple Lock in Action
Alongside the age shift, the Autumn Budget 2024 triggered a 4.1 % rise in the full new State Pension. That bumps the weekly payment to £230.25, or £11,973 a year, for anyone whose pension date falls on or after 6 April 2016. For those who retired earlier, the basic State Pension climbs to £176.45 a week (£9,175 annually). The increase reflects the triple‑lock rule—whichever is highest among average earnings growth, consumer‑price inflation, or a 2.5 % floor.
Figures from PensionBee’s State Pension Age Calculator (updated 15 March 2025) confirm the new rates. Their 2023 survey also revealed that “ideal retirement age” for many workers hovers around 60, a full six years before the statutory age, highlighting a growing pre‑pension gap.
Eligibility: How Many Years Do You Need?
To snag the minimum State Pension, you need exactly 10 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions. Hit 35 years, and you qualify for the maximum. The qualifying year thresholds for the 2023‑24 tax year sit at £6,396 for employees and £6,725 for the self‑employed. Those numbers have crept up slowly; back in 2010 a year required just £4,800 of earnings.
The system’s history is a patchwork. Men born before 6 April 1945 needed 44 qualifying years for a full basic pension, while women born before 6 April 1950 needed 39 years for any pension at all. From 2010 to 2016, the requirement settled at 30 years for a full basic pension, and just one year for a reduced amount. Those shifts reflect broader societal changes, including the abolition of the “default retirement age” of 65 in 2011, which let people work longer if they chose.
Impact on Workers and Employers
The age rise will ripple through both the labour market and personal finances. Financial advisers, like Mark Chapman of Financial Planning Ltd, warn that younger workers may need to increase their private savings now to bridge the gap. "If you’re aiming to retire at 60, you’ll have to either boost your pension contributions or look at alternative income streams," Chapman said in a March 2025 interview.
Employers, especially small firms, may also feel the pinch. The ability to retain older staff beyond 66 could ease skill shortages, but higher employer National Insurance costs on higher earnings could squeeze margins.
What’s Next? Future Reviews and Public Reaction
The next statutory review is slated for 2029, according to the same Pensions Act provisions. That means the government will once again compare life‑expectancy trends against fiscal sustainability. In the meantime, public sentiment is mixed. A poll by YouGov in September 2025 found that 57 % of respondents support the increase, citing fairness, while 38 % feel the change pushes retirement too far into later life.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups like Age UK continue to push for flexible retirement options, such as phased retirement or partial pension drawdown, to ease the transition for those who cannot—or do not want to—work longer.
Key Takeaways
- Current State Pension age is 66 for men and women.
- From 6 May 2026, the age will rise to 67, reaching 68 for births after April 1977.
- Full new State Pension increased 4.1 % to £230.25 per week as of 6 April 2025.
- Minimum qualification: 10 years of NI; maximum: 35 years.
- Third statutory review launched July 2025, led by Dr. Suzy Morrissey.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the State Pension age reach 68?
The age will hit 68 for people born after April 1977, with the change expected to roll out gradually after 2028. Exact dates will be published once the third pension age review finalises its recommendations, likely in 2029.
How does the triple lock affect my pension payments?
The triple lock guarantees the State Pension rises by the highest of average earnings growth, inflation, or 2.5 %. In 2025, earnings growth drove a 4.1 % increase, lifting the full new pension to £230.25 a week.
What if I want to retire before the statutory age?
You can take a reduced pension after 55, but the amount will be lower because you’ll have fewer qualifying years. Some people choose phased retirement or private savings to bridge the gap, a trend highlighted by the 2023 PensionBee survey.
Who is responsible for calculating my exact pension age?
The Department for Work and Pensions provides an online State Pension age calculator that incorporates the latest actuarial data and legislative changes.
How will the higher pension age affect future retirees financially?
Longer working lives mean higher lifetime National Insurance contributions, which can boost eventual pension amounts. However, it also delays access to full benefits, prompting many to increase private savings or consider flexible retirement options.
