State Pension Age Changes: When Can You Retire? (2026 Update)

Published 10 March 2026 • 7 min read

The UK State Pension age is changing — and further increases are likely. Currently set at 66, it is rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028, with a further rise to 68 under review. Here is what the changes mean for you and how to plan for them.

Quick check: If you were born after 5 April 1960, your State Pension age is at least 67. The increase from 66 to 67 is happening between May 2026 and March 2028.

Current State Pension Age

As of early 2026, the State Pension age is 66 for both men and women. This has been the case since October 2020, when the increase from 65 to 66 was completed.

Here is the timeline of changes:

Born before 6 April 1960: State Pension age is 66 (already reached)
Born 6 April 1960 – 5 March 1961: State Pension age is between 66 and 67 (transitional period, rising from May 2026)
Born after 5 March 1961: State Pension age is 67

The Rise to 67: What Is Happening Now

The State Pension age is increasing from 66 to 67 between 6 May 2026 and 6 March 2028. This affects people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961.

During this transitional period, your State Pension age depends on your exact date of birth. You can check yours on the government website.

Important: If you were planning to retire at 66 and your State Pension age is now 67, you need to fund an extra year of living costs from other sources — private pensions, savings, or continued work.

The Rise to 68: What We Know

Under current legislation, the State Pension age is set to increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. However, this has been subject to multiple government reviews:

The 2017 Cridland Review recommended bringing the increase forward to 2037–2039
The 2023 government review confirmed the rise to 68 would not happen before 2044
Future reviews are expected, and the timeline could change again

If you are currently in your 40s or younger, it is prudent to plan on a State Pension age of at least 68 — and it could go higher.

Why Is the State Pension Age Rising?

The main driver is life expectancy. When the State Pension was introduced in 1908, few people lived long enough to claim it. Today, a 66-year-old can expect to live to about 85 (men) or 87 (women). This means:

People are claiming the State Pension for much longer
The ratio of workers to retirees is falling
The cost to the government is increasing

The government’s principle is that people should spend up to one-third of their adult life in retirement. As life expectancy increases, so does the State Pension age.

Can You Retire Before State Pension Age?

Yes — the State Pension age is not your personal retirement age. You can retire whenever you can afford to. However:

You cannot claim the State Pension until you reach State Pension age
You can access private pensions from age 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028)
The gap between private pension access (55/57) and State Pension (66/67/68) needs to be bridged from your own savings

If you want to retire at 60, for example, you need enough private savings to cover 6–8 years before the State Pension kicks in.

Deferring Your State Pension

You do not have to claim the State Pension when you reach State Pension age. If you defer, your payments increase:

For every 9 weeks you defer, your State Pension increases by 1%
This works out at approximately 5.8% per year
The increase is for life — once applied, the higher rate continues

Deferring can make sense if you are still working and would pay higher-rate tax on the State Pension, or if you are in good health and expect to live well into your 80s.

How to Plan for State Pension Age Changes

Check your State Pension age: Use the government calculator at gov.uk to find your exact date
Check your State Pension forecast: Log into your Government Gateway account to see your projected weekly amount
Fill NI gaps: If you have fewer than 35 qualifying years, consider voluntary contributions to boost your State Pension
Build private savings: Do not rely solely on the State Pension — it provides a basic income, not a comfortable one
Plan for the gap: If you want to retire before State Pension age, ensure your private pensions and savings can bridge the gap

Need help planning around State Pension age changes? An FCA-regulated adviser can show you exactly when you can afford to retire, factoring in your State Pension, private pensions, and other savings. Get matched for free →

Key Takeaways

State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 between May 2026 and March 2028
A further rise to 68 is legislated for 2044–2046 but could be brought forward
You can access private pensions before State Pension age (currently 55, rising to 57)
Deferring your State Pension increases it by about 5.8% per year
Check your personal State Pension age and forecast on gov.uk