The Pensions Act 2014 has accelerated the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by eight years, meaning some state pensioners could be at risk of losing concessionary benefits
The state pension age is set to rise(Image: vm via Getty Images)
State pensioners born in specific years will miss out on free bus passes from next year The Pensions Act 2014 has brought forward the rise in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by eight years.
The government has also changed how the State Pension age increase is being phased in. Rather than reaching State Pension age on a particular date, those born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will become entitled to claim the State Pension when they reach 67.
The change is anticipated to be fully implemented for all men and women throughout the UK by 2028, reports Birmingham Live. This means state pensioners could face the loss of concessionary benefits, including free bus passes.
The Department for Transport stated: “We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many older people, providing access to essential services and keeping people connected through free local travel.
“We’re already in the process of making ambitious reforms to improve bus services for all passengers and supporting local areas to improve reliability and affordability.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed last month that the review would guarantee the state pension system remains “sustainable and affordable”.
This might lead to another age rise, initially planned for the 2040s, being accelerated. The review is scheduled to deliver its findings in March 2029.
The DWP has published a schedule outlining when workers can retire and when they can achieve state pension age under the revised framework. Reaching the state pension age and retiring will also grant access to additional perks such as complimentary bus passes, among other benefits.
Older persons (State Pension Age) bus passState Pension Age Eligibility Outside London: You qualify when you reach the State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both men and women. Within London: Greater London residents aged 60 or over are eligible for the Older Person’s Freedom Pass, offering free travel on buses, Tube, DLR, London Overground, most National Rail services, etc The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) allows free off-peak bus travel across England for those at State Pension age and eligible disabled peopleDisabled persons bus pass eligibility
Eligibility for the disabled person’s bus pass typically includes one or more of the following:
Receipt of higher-rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)Receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with at least 8 points in “Moving around” or “Communicating verbally” categoriesReceipt of the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement (WPMS)Being blind or partially sightedBeing profoundly or severely deafBeing without speechHaving a disability or injury with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on ability to walkBeing without arms, or having long-term loss of use of both armsHaving a learning disability (defined as arrested or incomplete development of mind, with significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning)Being someone who would have their application to drive refused on physical fitness grounds (unrelated to drug or alcohol misuse