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State Pension Age: Current Age and the Rise to 68

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Checked against GOV.UK and MoneyHelper. Edited by Steven Butler.

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Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It depends on your date of birth. It is rising from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and for people born after 5 April 1977 it rises to 68 between 2044 and 2046. This guide explains the current rules and how to check your own exact date.

Key points
  • ✓Currently 66, for people born 6 October 1954 to 5 April 1960
  • ✓Rising to 67 in stages between 2026 and 2028, for people born 6 April 1960 to 5 April 1977
  • ✓Rising to 68 between 2044 and 2046 for people born after 5 April 1977, with a flat 68 for anyone born after 5 April 1978
  • ✓The 67 to 68 rise is subject to a further government review, and Parliament would need to approve any change
  • ✓Use GOV.UK's own checker for your exact date, since it depends on your date of birth to the day

What is the State Pension age now?

If you were born between 6 October 1954 and 5 April 1960, your State Pension age is 66, and you've already reached it.

State Pension age is not the same for everyone: it depends on your date of birth, and it is rising from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. It may also be different from the age you can take a private or workplace pension, which is currently 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028).

The rise to 67 (happening now, 2026 to 2028)

If you were born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1977, your State Pension age is between 66 and 67, on a specific date that depends on your date of birth. The increase from 66 to 67 is being phased in between 2026 and 2028. For people born in the first part of this window, it works out as 66 years plus a number of months:

Date of birthState Pension age
6 April 1960 to 5 May 196066 years, 1 month
6 July 1960 to 5 August 196066 years, 4 months
6 October 1960 to 5 November 196066 years, 7 months
6 January 1961 to 5 February 196166 years, 10 months
6 March 1961 to 5 April 197767

Everyone born from 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977 has a flat State Pension age of 67.

The rise to 68

If you were born between 6 April 1977 and 5 April 1978, your State Pension age is between 67 and 68, on a specific date depending on your date of birth. Everyone born after 5 April 1978 has a flat State Pension age of 68. Under the Pensions Act 2007, the increase from 67 to 68 happens between 2044 and 2046.

The timetable for this rise, from 67 to 68, is under a legal duty to be reviewed at least once every 5 years, and could change. Before any change could take effect, Parliament would need to approve it.

Check your exact date

Because State Pension age depends on your date of birth to the day, the tables above are a guide, not your exact date. Use GOV.UK's own checker, which asks for your date of birth and gives you the exact day you reach State Pension age.

  • GOV.UK's checker tells you your State Pension age and your Pension Credit qualifying age
  • Once you know your date, you can check what you're on track to get with a State Pension forecast
See our State Pension forecast guide to check how much you'll get once you reach your State Pension age, our State Pension guide for how to claim, and our Pension Credit eligibility guide if you are on a low income.

Where to go next

Benefits
State Pension
How much you get, the triple lock, and how to claim.
State Pension Forecast
How to check what you're on track to get.
Attendance Allowance
For people over State Pension age with a disability or care need.
Attendance Allowance Eligibility Checker
Check whether the help you need could qualify you for Attendance Allowance.

Frequently asked questions

Is the State Pension age really rising to 68?

Under current law, yes. Everyone born after 5 April 1978 has a State Pension age of 68, and the increase from 67 to 68 happens between 2044 and 2046. People born between 6 April 1977 and 5 April 1978 reach a date between 67 and 68 depending on their exact date of birth. The timetable is reviewed at least once every 5 years and could still change, but Parliament would need to approve any change before it could take effect.

When exactly will State Pension age reach 67?

The rise from 66 to 67 is being phased in between 2026 and 2028. People born 6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961 reach State Pension age at 66 years plus a set number of months, depending on their date of birth; everyone born 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977 has a State Pension age of 67.

How do I find my exact State Pension age?

Use the official checker at gov.uk/state-pension-age. It asks for your date of birth and gives you the exact date you reach State Pension age, since it depends on your date of birth to the day rather than a single age for everyone in a given year.

Does State Pension age affect Pension Credit?

Yes. In England, Scotland and Wales you must have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit, so as your State Pension age rises, so does the age you can start claiming Pension Credit.

Related guides

Pension Credit Eligibility
Reaching State Pension age is the first test for Pension Credit; this guide covers the rest.
All Benefits
Every benefit and entitlement guide in one place.
Free Bus Pass
The English bus pass starts at State Pension age, and the other nations start earlier.
WASPI compensation
The Ombudsman findings for women born in the 1950s and the government decision.
Benefit Rates 2026/27
Part of our Benefits guides.
Autumn Budget 2026
PIP, the State Pension, the minimum wage, energy bills and tax, and when each change starts

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Know Your Rights UK. "State Pension Age: Current Age and the Rise to 68." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/benefits/state-pension/age