Key changes to state pension eligibility are coming in from next year
The DWP has released a statement about an important change to the state pension coming in from next year. Starting from April 2026, the age when you can claim your state pension will gradually increase from the current 66, up to 67.
The retirement age will become 67 by April 2028. In light of the change, the DWP was asked if it had notified people soon to reach state pension age of the change. A DWP spokesperson said: “People reaching state pension age between April 6, 2026 and April 5, 2028 should have already received a letter from the DWP.”
The department said that people reaching state pension age between these dates would have been sent the letter between 2016 and 2018. The DWP also said: “People can use the Check Your State Pension tools on gov.uk at any time to find out when they can claim state pension.”
The Government website has a state pension forecast tool you can use to check your state pension age as well as how much state pension you are on track to receive. Officials from the DWP are also seeking to notify people of the change in the state pension age through advertising campaigns and digital tools.
Fiona Peake, personal finance expert at Ocean Finance, encouraged people to check their state pension age so they can be sure when they can claim their payments. She said it’s worthwhile checking so that you don’t suddenly find out you have to wait longer than expected.
The expert said: “If you were expecting to get that money from a certain date and it turns out you won’t, you could be left with a gap of hundreds or even thousands of pounds depending on how long you need to wait. This can hit particularly hard if you don’t have much in private savings or if you’ve already started slowing down at work – you may have to dip into your savings sooner than planned or carry on working longer to cover everyday costs.”
The full new state pension is currently £230.25 a week, after payment rates increased 4.1% in April in line with the triple lock. You typically need 35 years full National Insurance contributions to get the full new amount.
Matthew Parden, CEO of savings provider Marygold & Co., also spoke about the importance of checking your state pension age. He explained: “Understanding your state pension age allows you to assess whether there’s likely to be a gap between leaving employment and receiving the state pension.
“If so, it’s essential to consider how you’ll cover living costs in that period — whether through personal savings, private pensions, or other income. By checking early, people can make informed decisions and avoid financial surprises later on, particularly as retirement planning often involves long-term commitments and careful timing.”