The free bus pass age could change for millions born after 1976 under a new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) state pension age plan. A rising pension age also led to employment rates among affected age groups increasing by 10 percentage points.
Impact of rising pension age
That is driven primarily by workers staying in their jobs for longer. The increase in the state pension age to 68 is currently legislated for 2044–46, affecting millions born after 1976.
The Labour Party government's Department for Transport has confirmed state pension age is linked to free bus passes, with a hike this year, from 66 to 67, meaning passengers have to wait longer to receive their freebie.
Official confirmation
The DfT confirmed to Birmingham Live: "In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age. If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport when you’re 60, but only within London."
It went on: “Eligibility for an older person’s bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is linked to State Pension age. This means eligibility will change in line with the increase in State Pension age from April.
“People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth.
“There is a tool to check the date people become eligible for a bus pass at Check your State Pension age - GOV.UK, by entering their date of birth.”
Expert and official responses
Elaine Smith, head of employment and skills at the Centre for Ageing Better, said that the rationale for repeatedly raising the state pension age was based on people living for longer.
"But life expectancy nationally is lower now than it was before the pandemic," she said.
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We're committed to providing financial support for people at any age who need it.
"Those that have not reached state pension age can access a range of support such as universal credit and other means-tested and disability-related benefits."
