State pensioners born between September 6 and October 5, 1960, will face a six-month wait for their state pension following a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rule change announced last week. The DWP state pension age is rising in monthly instalments, and this cohort will now need to wait until they reach 66 years and 6 months before claiming their entitlement.
The increase is part of a two-year process that began in April, moving the state pension age from 66 to 67. Under current law, the change starts on May 6, 2026, and will be phased in gradually until April 6, 2028. The exact date each person is affected depends on their date of birth, so the government advises checking the official online calculator.
Why the state pension age is rising
The UK state pension age is increasing primarily because people are living longer on average, which raises the cost of providing pensions. Reviews also consider fairness between generations and the long-term affordability of the system. For example, two people born a few months apart in the early 1960s may have different state pension ages, even if both fall within the 2026–2028 increase period.
Your exact date of birth determines when the increase applies to you. The official timetable and the government's online calculator use this information to provide a precise state pension age.
Deferring your state pension
You don't have to claim as soon as you reach state pension age. If you defer, your weekly amount usually increases for every week you put off claiming, as long as you defer for at least nine weeks. The increase is added to your pension when you eventually claim. Deferring might suit you if you're still working or have other income, but it won't be right for everyone.
It's important to consider your health, your need for income now versus later, and how deferring interacts with any other pensions you hold. The decision should be based on your personal circumstances.
Full DWP state pension age rise timetable
Here is the complete schedule for those affected by the 2026–2028 increase:
- September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960: 66 years and 6 months
- October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960: 66 years and 7 months
- November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960: 66 years and 8 months
- December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961: 66 years and 9 months
- January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961: 66 years and 10 months
- February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961: 66 years and 11 months
- March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977: 67 years
According to the DWP, the change is being phased to manage the transition smoothly. Those affected should check their exact state pension age using the government's online tool to plan their retirement finances accordingly.
