It is all to do with The Pensions Act 2014
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Rory Poulter
03:00, 21 Mar 2026Updated 07:35, 21 Mar 2026
The Pensions Act 2014 accelerated the State Pension age increase from 66 to 67 by eight years(Image: alvaro gonzalez via Getty Images)
A major change to the State Pension is scheduled to begin from April.
The State Pension age will soon begin increasing from 66 to 67, with the transition expected to be finalised for everyone throughout the UK by 2028. The proposed adjustment to the official retirement age has been enshrined in law since 2014, with a subsequent rise from 67 to 68 planned for implementation during the mid-2040s. The Pensions Act 2014 accelerated the State Pension age increase from 66 to 67 by eight years.
The UK Government also modified how the State Pension age rise is introduced, meaning instead of reaching State Pension age on a particular date, people born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will become eligible to claim the State Pension upon turning 67.
It’s vital to understand these forthcoming alterations now, particularly if you’ve established a retirement strategy. Everyone impacted by modifications to their State Pension age will receive correspondence from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with plenty of notice.
The State Pension age will increase from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and 2028.(Image: Getty images )
According to the Pensions Act 2007, the State Pension age for both men and women will rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
The Pensions Act 2014 mandates a periodic review of the State Pension age, at minimum once every five years. The assessment will centre on the principle that people should spend a certain proportion of their adult life receiving a State Pension. The UK Government has recently established a new Pension Commission to explore ways of enhancing pension savings, with its conclusions set to be unveiled in 2027. The commission will consider topics such as auto-enrolment saving rates, encouraging savings among groups like the self-employed, and a reassessment of the State Pension age, reports the Daily Record.
State Pension Rates 2026/27
Full New State Pension
Weekly: £241.30 (from £230.25)Four-weekly pay period: £965.20Annual amount: £12,547
Full Basic State Pension
Weekly: £184.90 (from £176.45)Four-weekly pay period: £739.60Annual amount: £9,614
Other State Pension rates
Category B (lower) Basic State Pension – spouse or civil Partner’s insurance: £110.75 (from £105.70)Category C or D – non-contributory: £110.75 (from £105.70)
The new payment rates will start on April 6.
Dr Suzy Morrissey will provide insights on aspects the UK Government should take into account regarding the State Pension age, whilst the Government Actuary’s Department will compile a report on the proportion of adult life spent in retirement.
The reassessment of the State Pension age will factor in life expectancy along with a variety of other elements pertinent to determining the State Pension age.
Following the review’s findings, the UK Government may opt to implement changes to the State Pension age. However, any proposed changes would need to pass through Parliament before becoming law.
Check your State Pension age online
Your State Pension age is the earliest age at which you can begin receiving your State Pension. It might differ from the age at which you can access a workplace or personal pension.
Brits of all ages can utilise the online tool on GOV.UK to check their State Pension age, which can be a crucial aspect of retirement planning.
You can use the State Pension age tool to check:
When you will reach State Pension ageYour Pension Credit qualifying ageWhen you will be eligible for free bus travel – this is at age 60 in Scotland
Check your State Pension age online here.