What is the current State Pension age and when is it rising to 67?

The State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women. It started rising gradually from 66 to 67 on 6 April 2026, with the increase phased in month by month until April 2028.

If you were born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, your State Pension age falls somewhere between 66 and 67 — the exact date depends on your month of birth. The Department for Work and Pensions writes to people roughly two months before their State Pension age, but many people check online or with an adviser well before that letter arrives.

A rise to 68 has been discussed for a later date, though the precise timetable for that further increase has not yet been confirmed in legislation.

The State Pension age matters for retirement planning because it determines when you can start claiming your State Pension — a regular payment from the government based on your National Insurance record. If you stop working or draw on other savings before that age, you will need another source of income to bridge the gap in the meantime.

You can defer (delay) claiming your State Pension beyond your State Pension age, which can increase the amount you eventually receive.

A regulated financial adviser can help you work out how the State Pension fits into your overall retirement income plan.