The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that millions of older people will have to wait longer for their state pension due to a change in the pension age rules. For individuals born between April 1960 and March 1961, the State Pension age will increase gradually from 66.
New Timetable for State Pension Age
Those born from April 1961 to March 1977 will reach State Pension age when they turn 67. A further rise to 68 is planned for those born from April 1977 onwards, though this remains subject to review. The DWP is actively publicising these changes, particularly for those born between 1960 and 1961, whose pension age will be 66 plus a specific number of months depending on their birth date.
Detailed Breakdown by Birth Dates
The timetable is as follows:
- Born 6 April 1960 – 5 May 1960: pension at 66 years and 1 month
- Born 6 May 1960 – 5 June 1960: pension at 66 years and 2 months
- Born 6 June 1960 – 5 July 1960: pension at 66 years and 3 months
- Born 6 July 1960 – 5 August 1960: pension at 66 years and 4 months
- Born 6 August 1960 – 5 September 1960: pension at 66 years and 5 months
- Born 6 September 1960 – 5 October 1960: pension at 66 years and 6 months
- Born 6 October 1960 – 5 November 1960: pension at 66 years and 7 months
- Born 6 November 1960 – 5 December 1960: pension at 66 years and 8 months
- Born 6 December 1960 – 5 January 1961: pension at 66 years and 9 months
- Born 6 January 1961 – 5 February 1961: pension at 66 years and 10 months
- Born 6 February 1961 – 5 March 1961: pension at 66 years and 11 months
- Born 6 March 1961 – 5 April 1961: pension at 67 years
For those born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977, the State Pension age is set at 67.
Warning from Campaigners
Jonathan Safir, Deputy General Secretary of the CSPA, issued a warning: “The justification for repeatedly raising the State Pension age has always been that people are living longer, yet healthy life expectancy is now lower than it was before the pandemic. For many people, longer working lives are not matched by longer lives spent in good health.”
He added: “We are calling for the Triple Lock to be maintained beyond 2029 and for further increases in the State Pension age to be deferred until inequalities in life expectancy are addressed.”
