Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, outlines the phased rise in the UK state pension age from 66 to 67 beginning in April and completing by 2028, warning that those born between April 1960 and March 1961 may face short income gaps as the timetable shifts, with further increases to 68 already scheduled.
Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, comments:
“The state pension is the bedrock upon which millions of Brits build their retirement plans. However, the sands are shifting, with a long-trailed hike in the state pension age to 67 kicking off from April this year and completing in 2028. In the short term that is a recipe for confusion – many of those affected during the transition will inevitably be completely unaware that this is happening and have to plug an income gap, albeit potentially only for a few months, as a result.
“Given the level of controversy we have seen when the state pension age has increased previously, good government communications will be key over the coming months and years. You should receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) a month before you are entitled to the state pension informing you when and how you can claim the benefit. For those who are unsure of their state pension age or entitlement, the government has a couple of handy online tools that allow you to check both*.
“While the increase in the state pension age from 66 will come as a shock to many, this is very much the beginning rather than the end of this story. Under current plans, the state pension age will rise again to 68 between 2044 and 2046, but there is every chance this government or a future government will need to bring it forward – and possibly set out plans to increase the age further still.
“With the total annual bill for state pensions now knocking on the door of £150 billion and the ‘triple-lock’ threatening to ratchet that cost up over time, this is a painful nettle that will need to be grasped sooner or later. And the longer politicians wait, the more painful the sting will become.”
*You can check your state pension age here: Check your State Pension age – GOV.UK, and your state pension entitlement here: Check your State Pension forecast – GOV.UK.
In full: who will be affected during the state pension age transition from 66 to 67
Source: State Pension age timetable – GOV.UK. Table 4. *For people born after 5 April 1969 but before 6 April 1977, under the Pensions Act 2007, State Pension age was already 67.
Is the state pension age due to rise again?
“The state pension age is currently scheduled to increase to age 68 between 6 April 2044 and 5 April 2046.
“However, as the government has to periodically look at the state pension age to make sure it remains suitable, there’s always the chance it may decide to raise it sooner than planned – say, in the late 2030s.
“The government announced the launch of the third review of state pension age in July 2025. To help it has asked for two reports:
- An independent report, led by Dr Suzy Morrissey, on what factors should be taken into consideration when making this decision; and
- A report from the government actuary’s department (GAD) on the latest life expectancy estimations.
“Once the government receives these reports later this year, it should be in a position to kick off the review of the state pension age. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we will get a quick decision on this, and it could be some time until we hear more.”
