Under The Pensions Act 2014 amendments, state pensioners with specific birthdays could potentially see their payments delayed for up to a year. As the State Pension age rises from 66 to 67, the increment will happen gradually between 2026 and 2028, avoiding a sudden jump.
Following this, plans suggest a further raise to 68 between 2044 and 2046, but discussions from a past DWP head hint at a potential advancement to “2040 or thereabouts”. Those born from April 6, 1960, to March 5, 1961, will be directly impacted as they’ll no longer reach State Pension age at 66 but may need to wait an additional 11 months.
This shift will then systematically affect those born from March 6, 1961, to April 5, 1977. A detailed schedule for the 2026 adjustments has been provided to clarify when individuals are eligible to claim their State Pension.
Per the timetable, people born within the following intervals will attain State Pension age at 66 plus a designated number of months based on their birth date: If born April 6, 1960, to May 5, 1960, eligibility starts at 66 years and one month (May-June 2026). For those born May 6, 1960, to June 5, 1960, the age is 66 years and two months (July-August 2026).
Individuals with birthdays from June 6, 1960, to July 5, 1960, are eligible at 66 years and three months (September-October 2026), details Birmingham Live, reports Coventry Live.
For those born between July 6, 1960 and August 5, 1960, they will reach the age of 66 years and 4 months in November-December 2026. Interestingly, a person born on July 31, 1960, is considered to reach this age on November 30, 2026.
Those born from August 6, 1960 to September 5, 1960 will hit 66 years and 5 months in January-February 2027. If you were born between September 6, 1960 and October 5, 1960, you’ll be 66 years and 6 months old in March-April 2027.
For individuals born from October 6, 1960 to November 5, 1960, they’ll reach 66 years and 7 months in May-June 2027. Those with birthdays from November 6, 1960 to December 5, 1960 will be 66 years and 8 months old in July-August 2027.
If you were born between December 6, 1960 and January 5, 1961, you’ll hit 66 years and 9 months in September-October 2027. However, a person born on December 31, 1960 is considered to reach this age on September 30, 2027.
Those born from January 6, 1961 to February 5, 1961 will reach 66 years and 10 months in November-December 2027. But note that a person born on January 31, 1961 is considered to reach this age on November 30, 2027.
If your birthday falls between February 6, 1961 and March 5, 1961, you’ll be 66 years and 11 months old in January-February 2028. Those born from March 6, 1961 to April 5, 1977 will reach the age of 67 in March-April 2028.
For individuals born after April 5, 1969, but before April 6, 1977, the State Pension age is already 67 under the Pensions Act 2007.
It’s important to note that you won’t automatically start receiving your State Pension – it needs to be claimed. Letters are typically sent out prior to the date you qualify.
If you’re nearing State Pension age in the next four months, you can contact the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898. Claims can also be made online using an invitation code from the letter.
If you don’t have the letter but will reach State Pension age within three months, you can use the online service to request an invitation code.