The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the state pension age increase is now underway for certain households. The rise from 66 to 67 began in April and is being phased in over three tax years for individuals born between April 1960 and March 1961.
How the Phase-In Works
Some pensioners will receive their state pension at age 66 and one month, while others will have to wait until they are 66 and 11 months. A final group will not receive their pension until age 67. The exact age depends on the individual's date of birth.
For example, those born between April 6, 1960, and May 5, 1960, will get their state pension at 66 years and one month, meaning they will be eligible from May 6 to June 6, 2026, instead of April 2026. Those born May 6 to June 5, 1960, will receive their pension at 66 years and two months, from July to August 2026. Similar increments apply for later birth dates, with everyone born after August 5, 1960, not receiving their state pension until 2027 or 2028.
Government Guidance
The Labour government stated that the Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the state pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The state pension age for both men and women will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The government also changed the way the increase is phased, so that people born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, will reach their state pension age at 66 years plus a specified number of months, rather than on a specific date.
