State Pension age rising for people with these birthdates in 2026

The State Pension age in the UK is set to rise from 66 to 67 starting next year, with the increase expected to be fully implemented for all men and women across the nation by 2028. This planned adjustment to the official retirement age has been legislated since 2014, with another increase from 67 to 68 scheduled to take place between 2044 and 2046.

The Pensions Act of 2014 expedited the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by eight years. The UK Government also altered the method of phasing in the increase in State Pension age, meaning that instead of reaching State Pension age on a specific date, individuals born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 will be eligible to claim the State Pension once they turn 67.

It's crucial to be cognisant of these impending changes now, particularly if you've already established a retirement plan. All those affected by alterations to their State Pension age will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) well ahead of time.

Under the provisions of thePensions Act 2007, the State Pension age for both men and women will rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

The Pensions Act 2014 mandates a regular review of the State Pension age, at least once every five years. These reviews will be centred around the concept that individuals should be able to spend a certain portion of their adult life receiving a State Pension, reports the Daily Record.

A review of the planned increase to 68 is due before this decade ends, originally scheduled by the previous Conservative government to occur two years post-general election - which would have been 2026.

The State Pension age review will consider life expectancy and other relevant factors in setting the State Pension age.

Following the review's report, the UK Government may decide to advance changes to the State Pension age. However, any proposals must pass through Parliament before becoming law.

Find out your State Pension age online.

Your State Pension age is the earliest age at which you can begin receiving your State Pension. It might differ from the age at which you can receive a workplace or personal pension.

People of all ages can use the online tool on GOV.UK to determine their State Pension age, an essential step in retirement planning.

You can use the State Pension age tool to check:

• When you will reach State Pension age
• Your Pension Credit qualifying age
• When you will be eligible for free bus travel

Check your State Pension age online here.

Increasing State Pension payments.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recently revealed that over 10,000 payments totalling £12.5 million have been made by individuals using the new digital service to enhance State Pensions since its launch last year.

However, those eager to maximise their retirement income through the contributory benefit have only a few weeks left to fill any gaps in their National Insurance (NI) records dating back to 2006.

Normally, individuals can only make voluntary contributions for the previous six tax years, and once the April 5 deadline passes this year, the standard six-year time limit will be reinstated.

Back in 2023, the former government pushed back the deadline for paying voluntary NI contributions to April 5, 2025 for those impacted by new State Pension transitional arrangements, encompassing the tax years from April 6, 2006 to April 5, 2018.

This extended timeframe has given people additional opportunity to weigh up their options and make their contributions.

Blokes born after April 6, 1951 and women born after April 6, 1953 can make voluntary NI contributions to enhance their New State Pension.

Some may be more suited for National Insurance credits instead of contributions, thus checking options is key. People can find out more about making voluntary contributions on GOV.UK here. People of working age can also check their State Pension forecast on GOV.UK here.

Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, the online investment platform, explained: "People typically need at least 10 qualifying years of NI (national insurance) contributions to receive any state pension at all and at least 35 years to receive the full new State Pension - though they don't need to be consecutive years.

"Plugging gaps can be quite a costly process, so it's crucial to evaluate whether you actually need to buy back any missing years. This will depend on how many more years you plan to work, and whether you are eligible for NI tax credits, which fill the gaps, such as those who have been ill, were unemployed or took time out to raise a family or care for elderly relations.

"Plugging gaps in your record is relatively straightforward since the Government rolled out its new NI payments services in April last year - a State Pension forecast tool that has been checked by 3.7m since its launch."

She went on to say: "People simply need to log into their personal tax account or the HMRC app to not only view any payment gaps but also check if they can plug those gaps directly through the Government's digital channels.

"A brief survey assesses the person's suitability to pay online with those eligible to pay directly given a series of options to plug any gaps depending on when someone wants to stop working.

"Calculating whether to top up can be confusing though and ultimately there is no point paying for more years than you need because you won't get that money back."

Ms Haine added: "People who might need to top up include those that took a career break as well as low earners or expatriates living and working abroad.

"Remember, this deadline has been extended a couple of times in the past, which makes it more likely the Government will stick to the April cut-off point this time around. For this reason, those that think they might need to take action should start the process now."