DWP state pension rule change begins and you’ll receive letter if impacted

The state pension age is set to rise for one age group from this month. The state pension age was set at 66, but from April 6, it will rise in phased increments over the course of the next two years until it hits 67 in 2028.

If you will be impacted, you should receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Payments will go up in line with the increase in age. If you were born between April 6 and May 5, 1960, you will have to wait an extra month before you are paid a pension.

After the change was announced more than a decade ago, it will finally come into play soon. The decision has been made to reflect longer life expectancy with many younger people anticipating working into their 70s.

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You will need 35 years of qualifying national insurance contributions to get a full state pension.

Zoe Alexander, executive director of policy and advocacy at Pensions UK, said: “The state pension age is rising for three reasons: improved life expectancy, to support the sustainability of the public finances and improving intergenerational fairness.”

She added that the upcoming rise in the qualifying age may be “causing some confusion” and urged people approaching it to check they are eligible by using the pension age calculator on the gov.uk website.

Kirsty Ross, proposition director for People’s Partnership, the provider of People’s Pension, said: “The value of the state pension is essential information for millions of people, including those still in work, as it forms the foundation of retirement income for most savers.

“For those thinking about retirement, it’s also crucial to understand the age at which they can start claiming the state pension.”

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.”