The State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 next year, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women
The State Pension age is set to begin climbing from 66 to 67 next year, with the rise scheduled to be finalised for all men and women born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977, by 2028. The proposed change to the official retirement age has been enshrined in law since 2014, with a subsequent increase from 67 to 68 planned for implementation between 2044 and 2046.
Nevertheless, a former Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) worker has delivered a stark warning regarding the scheduled increases. Throughout her 42 years at the DWP, Sandra Wrench was employed in the State Pension and benefits departments, but she cautions about the “difficulty for some people remaining in work until that time”.
Sandra told the Daily Record: “People in heavy manual work may find it very difficult to remain in work until 66, leave alone any older age. I worked in an office, yet I was actually forced out of work, by the actions of DWP management, so there is no guarantee you can remain in work until State Pension age, regardless of what type of work you do.”
The former DWP worker continued to outline how workplaces have been modified for people with disabilities or health conditions, and continuously advancing technology can assist those with extra requirements, but employers must be willing to accommodate disability in the workplace, particularly with older staff members. Sandra initially voiced her worries about the State Pension age increase and its effect on older employees during the first State Pension review in 2022, reports the Daily Record.
She has also provided evidence to the current review, which is set to finish this month She said: “Recently Tom McPhail, a pensions expert, commented on taking the State Pension away from people under the age of 75, and living on your savings until that age, when you can claim your State Pension.
“You take someone like myself who had to work part time for 25 years, so savings will be limited. Women may often work part time due to caring responsibilities, and some women may leave work in their 60s to look after elderly parents. You might have some savings but you may well need this money for care in later life.”
Throughout the past year, the employment rate amongst those aged 50 to 64 years has climbed by 0.7 percentage points to 71.6 per cent. This sits marginally beneath the record peak of 72.6 per cent achieved in 2019.
The typical age for leaving the workforce has also climbed to 65.8 years in 2025 for men and 64.7 years for women. Approximately 876,000 people aged 50 to 64 are either actively hunting for employment, or are economically inactive but are prepared or keen to work.
Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown also reckons life expectancy will influence any future State Pension age increases. She said: “Our working lives are getting ever longer, with the average age of workforce exit on the rise. It’s not just down to people’s enthusiasm for work, it’s primarily caused by increases to the state pension age – a change that has particularly impacted the working lives of women. With the State Pension age soon to start its rise to 67 it will be interesting to see whether we see working lives continue to extend.
“Enabling people to work for longer can spell good news for people’s retirement planning, giving them longer to build their pensions or vary their working patterns by going part time.However, there are significant challenges – most notably healthy life expectancy. Not everyone is actually physically able to continue to work.”
The retirement expert added: “Poor health can also strike much earlier that you think. According to ONS data 44.7 per cent of people who are classed as economically inactive between the age of 50-64 say it’s because they are sick, injured or disabled.
“Another major challenge is of course caring responsibilities – an issue that disproportionately affects women with more than 18 per cent of women saying it’s a reason why they cannot look for work compared to 7.7 per cent of men.
“These issues have enormous consequences for those who need to leave the workforce in their fifties. Shorter working lives mean less time to build up a workplace pension – and more time when people need to rely on existing assets. With the State Pension age on the rise how do they bridge the gap? It’s an issue that will no doubt be an important part of thinking around the ongoing review into the State Pension age.”
Ms Morrissey also emphasised how the spotlight on State Pension age should prompt everyone to consider their own situation if they were compelled to finish work earlier, and whether there’s anything they can do to safeguard themselves – from building a larger pension to investing alongside their pension in an ISA they can access if they need to before their personal pension becomes available.
Helen said: “For those who exit the workforce for caring responsibilities, it shows the vital importance of enabling flexible working to enable people to balance work and caring – as well as the importance of good quality affordable childcare to make it easier for parents to keep working where they can.
“The 50 plus population still has a lot to offer the workplace, and current challenges risk a significant loss of expertise for businesses. It also risks forcing people to stop work at a time when they still want to contribute. Allowing extra flexibility for older workers can mean both parties continue to benefit.”
State Pension age rise to 68 Under the Pensions Act 2007, the State Pension age for both men and women will rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 mandates a regular review of the State Pension age at least once every five years. This review will be centred around the principle that people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life receiving a State Pension.
Recently, the UK Government announced the formation of a new Pension Commission to explore ways to enhance pension saving, with its findings expected to be released in 2027. The commission will consider areas such as auto-enrolment saving rates, increasing savings among groups like the self-employed, and a review of the State Pension age.
You can check your State Pension age online
Your State Pension age is the earliest age at which you can begin receiving your State Pension. It may differ from the age at which you can access a workplace or personal pension.
The online tool available on GOV.UK allows anyone, regardless of age, to check their State Pension age, an essential step in retirement planning.
Use the State Pension age tool to check:
- When you will reach State Pension age
- Your Pension Credit qualifying age
- When you will be eligible for free bus travel – this is at age 60 in Scotland
Check your State Pension age online here.