DWP urging people to check State Pension age as changes coming for people born in 11 month window
People with certain birthdays will see their state pension age increased to 67 from May next year
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging anyone born between certain years to check when they will be able to claim their state pension as ages are set to change.
The state pension age is going to rise from 66 to 67 next year - with everyone due to be under this new state pension age by 2028.
Gov.uk is offering an online tool for people to check when they will be eligible to claim their state pension. You can also use the tool to see when you'll qualify for pension credits and free bus travel, the Daily Record reports.
In a post on X, the DWP said: “Born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961? Check today to find out what your State Pension age will be.”
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The government department is offering the clarification to ensure that everyone affected is aware of the upcoming changes now - especially for those who have a retirement plan in place.
Everyone affected by changes to their state pension age will also receive a letter from the DWP well in advance.
The planned change to the official age of retirement has been in legislation since 2014. There will be a further state pension age rise from 67 to 68 set to be implemented between 2044 and 2046.
The Pensions Act 2014 provides a regular review of the State Pension age at least once every five years. The review will be based around the idea that people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a state pension.
New state pension ages
- People born on April 6, 1960 will reach state pension age of 66 on May 6, 2026
- People born on March 5, 1961 will reach State Pension age of 67 on February 5, 2028
A review of the planned rise to 68 is due before the end of this decade and had originally been scheduled by the then Conservative government to take place two years after the general election - which would have been 2026.
Any review of the State Pension age will take into account life expectancy along with a range of other factors relevant to setting the State Pension age.
After the review has reported, the UK government may then choose to bring forward changes to the state pension age. However, any proposals would have to go through Parliament before becoming law.
State Pension payments 2025/26
Full New State Pension
- Weekly payment: £230.25
- Four-weekly payment: £921
- Annual amount: £11,973
Full Basic State Pension
- Weekly payment: £176.45
- Four-weekly payment: £705.80
- Annual amount: £9,175
To check your state pension age, visit the gov.uk website.