What's happening?

The State Pension age is going up from 66 to 67, and the DWP has confirmed the change began on 6 April 2026. It will be fully in place for men and women across the UK by 2028.

Does it affect me?

It depends on your date of birth:

• If you were born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, you'll reach State Pension age at some point between 66 and 67, depending on your exact date of birth.
• If you were born on or after 6 March 1961, you'll have to wait until you turn 67 under the current timetable.
• If you were born after 5 April 1969 but before 6 April 1977, your State Pension age was already 67.

What should I do?

• Check your date with the free State Pension age calculator on GOV.UK. It takes a minute.
• The DWP will write to people affected by the change, so keep an eye out for a letter.
• Check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK to see how much you're on course for, and look out for any gaps in your National Insurance record (we covered this under N).
• You can usually claim up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age, so don't leave it too late.

Worth knowing if your date has moved:

• Waiting longer can mean needing other support in the meantime, such as Universal Credit, ESA or Jobseeker's Allowance.
• Once you reach State Pension age, some benefits change. For example, Pension Credit takes over from Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance from PIP for new claims, and Housing Benefit becomes available for renters. It's worth a benefits check as you get close.
• If you're struggling financially while waiting, ask about a benefits check with Citizens Advice, Age UK or Turn2us.

Where to start: use the State Pension age calculator and forecast service on GOV.UK, or call the Future Pension Centre. Age UK and Citizens Advice are great for a chat if the changes feel confusing.

Rules change often, so always double-check on GOV.UK. The headline of the original story also mentions a tax warning, but I couldn't see those details, so I haven't included them. I can add a section if you paste that part in.

Has the change caught you or someone you know off guard? Come and share your story on the forum. 🫶