The State Pension age could rise to 68 for individuals born after 5 April 1977, based on the current legislative timetable. According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Pensions Act 2014 mandates a review of the State Pension age at least once every five years. The Government has confirmed it is not planning to revise existing timetables for the equalisation of the State Pension age to 65 or the rise to 66 or 67, but the increase from 67 to 68 could change as a result of a future review.
Under current law, the State Pension age for men and women is scheduled to increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. However, this timetable could be altered by the Labour Party government. The DWP has published a detailed schedule showing when individuals born in specific date ranges can claim their State Pension, assuming the current timeline remains unchanged.
Claim dates for those born after 1977
The DWP has provided a month-by-month breakdown of claim dates for people born between April 1977 and April 1978. For example, those born between 6 April 1977 and 5 May 1977 can claim from 6 May 2044, while those born between 6 May 1977 and 5 June 1977 can claim from 6 July 2044. The schedule continues through to those born between 6 March 1978 and 5 April 1978, who can claim from 6 March 2046. Individuals born on or after 6 April 1978 can claim from their 68th birthday.
The DWP states that it is likely further increases in the State Pension age, to age 70 and beyond, will be announced in the future. This means younger workers may need to plan for a longer working life than previous generations.
New State Pension rules and NI contributions
If you reached or will reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016, the new State Pension system applies to you. To receive the full amount, you need at least 35 years of National Insurance (NI) contributions or credits. This includes NI contributions made while working and credits awarded when you could not work, such as when caring for a child or someone with a disability, or when claiming certain benefits.
If you paid NI at a lower rate—for example, if you contracted out of the Additional State Pension scheme—you may need more than 35 years of contributions to get the full amount. To receive any State Pension, you must have at least 10 years of NI contributions. Contributions between 10 and 34 years provide a proportional amount of the full pension.
Impact of future reviews
The DWP's review process, required by the Pensions Act 2014, means the State Pension age timetable remains subject to change. While the current government has no plans to alter the equalisation to 65 or the rises to 66 and 67, the increase to 68 could be accelerated or delayed depending on future demographic and economic factors. The Labour government has indicated it may revisit the existing schedule, which could affect millions of people born after 1977.
For those approaching retirement, understanding these rules is crucial for financial planning. The DWP advises checking your NI contribution record and considering how future changes to the State Pension age might affect your retirement plans.
