pension
⏱ 2 min read
📅 Updated Apr 2026
State Pension Age Is Rising From Today — Are You Affected?
The UK State Pension age started rising from 66 to 67 on 6 April 2026. Find out if you're affected, when you can claim, and what to do if your plans change.
State Pension — Happening Now April 3, 2026 — London From 6 April 2026, the State Pension age in the UK begins its gradual rise from 66 to 67. If you were born on or after 6 April 1960, your State Pension age is no longer 66 — it's higher, and rising by one month for each month of birth date until it reaches 67 for those born from 6 March 1961. Who Is Affected?| Date of Birth | State Pension Age |
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| Before 6 April 1960 | 66 — unaffected | | 6 April 1960 – 5 May 1960 | 66 years and 1 month | | 6 May 1960 – 5 June 1960 | 66 years and 2 months | | 6 June 1960 – 5 July 1960 | 66 years and 3 months | | ...gradually rising... | ...by one month per month of birth... | | 6 March 1961 or later | 67 — full new age |
| Important: If you were planning to claim your State Pension at 66 and were born after 6 April 1960, your claim date has shifted. Check your State Pension forecast at gov.uk to see your exact date. |
How Much Is the State Pension in 2026/27?The full new State Pension rose to £241.30 per week (£12,547.60 per year) for 2026/27, following the 4.8% triple lock increase. You need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to receive the full amount. What to Do If You're Affected- Check your exact State Pension age and forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension
- If you need to delay retirement, contact the DWP to understand your options
- Consider working part-time or drawing on private pension savings to bridge the gap
- Check if you can make voluntary NIC contributions to top up your record
- Review whether deferring your State Pension (when you do reach pension age) would benefit you — it increases by ~5.8% per year deferred
Bottom line: If you were born after 6 April 1960, your State Pension age has changed from today. Check your forecast at gov.uk immediately if you were planning to claim at 66 — you may need to revise your retirement timeline. |
By Chandraketu Tripathi · April 3, 2026 · kaeltripton.com |
Part of our complete guide: Best Pension Providers UK 2026 - Complete Guide → Find a regulated IFA →
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CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
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