From the state pension age going up, to new rules coming in that affect millions of savers, we round up all the pension changes you need to know about
State pension payments increase each April(Image: Getty)
There are big changes coming in 2026 for anyone claiming the state pension or a private pension.
The state pension is paid by the Government, with how much you get being based on your National Insurance (NI) record. Private pension are savings you build with your own contributions.
This is normally done through a workplace scheme or a personal pension that you set up yourself. However you plan on funding your retirement, there are some key dates to put into your diary for 2026.
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State pension rising
The state pension rises every year in line with the triple lock. The triple lock guarantees the state pension increases every April in line with whichever is the highest of earnings growth in between May to July, inflation in September, or 2.5%.
This year, the state pension will rise by 4.8% from April 2026, in line with wage growth. The full new state pension will increase from £230.25 a week to £241.30 a week.
The old basic state pension will rise from £176.45 a week to £184.90 a week.
State pension age going up
For men and women, the state pension age is currently 66 – but this is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The first people to start to see their state pension age rise will be those born on April 6, 1960.
Instead of reaching state pension age when they turn 66, they won’t be able to start collection their state pension until they are age 66 and one month.
This will gradually increase for everyone reaching state pension age over the following year, until we reach those who were born on March 6, 1961, and their state pension age will be 67.
This will then become the state pension age for anyone retiring from that point onward. A further increase to 68 is due to happen between 2044 and 2046.
Pensions dashboard deadline
The pensions dashboard is an online tool that allow people see all their pension information in one place, allowing them track their retirement cash more easily.
Approximately 3,000 providers and schemes will be connected to the dashboard by October 31, 2026. The first pension provider successfully connected in April last year.
New rules for small pension pots
The Pension Schemes Bill is expected to become law in mid-2026, though its changes will be rolled out gradually. One of its key features will be consolidation of small pension pots under £1,000.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says having multiple small pots can stop savers getting a good return on their retirement fund if they have to pay multiple flat rate charges.