The state pension age is currently set at 66 for both men and women – but this is due to rise to 67, starting from next year
A pensions expert has explained why some people will have to wait a little longer to start claiming their state pension from next year.
The state pension age is currently set at 66 for both men and women – but this is due to rise to 67, starting from next year. The change is being introduced gradually, which means some people will have to wait a few months after their 66th birthday before they can start claiming.
For example, someone born between April 6, 1960 and May 5, 1960, will reach state pension age when they are 66 years and one month old.
Someone born between September 6, 1960 to October 5, 1960 will have to wait until they are 66 years and six months old to start claiming their state pension.
This process will continue until April 2028, when it reaches age 67. The state pension increase was explained by Sir Steve Webb, former Pensions Minister and now partner at Lane Clark and Peacock (LCP) in a recent article for This is Money, where one reader questioned why she has to wait until next November to claim her pension, despite turning 66 in July.
Sir Steve replied: “The move from 66 to 67, this will not happen overnight but will be phased in between April 2026 and April 2028. The phasing means that there will be some people (such as yourself) who will have a state pension age which is not a complete number of years but is, for example, 66 years and four months.”
State pension age rising – see when you can claim
- April 6, 1960 – May 5, 1960: 66 years and 1 month
- May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960: 66 years and 2 months
- June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960: 66 years and 3 months
- July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960: 66 years and 4 months
- August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960: 66 years and 5 months
- September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960: 66 years and 6 months
- October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960: 66 years and 7 months
- November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960: 66 years and 8 months
- December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961: 66 years and 9 months
- January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961: 66 years and 10 months
- February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961: 66 years and 11 months
For those born after this date will have a state pension age of at least 67. The state pension age is currently scheduled to rise again to 68 between 2044 and 2046 – this would impact those born on or after April 5, 1977.
There have been calls to bring the rise to 68 forward, but a decision on this has been delayed. The state pension age is the earliest you can start claiming the state pension.
It is separate to any workplace or private pension you may have. The earliest age you can access your private pensions is currently 55 – but this will rise to 57 from April 2028.
Anyone retiring now will claim the new state pension, which is worth £221.20 a week if you’re eligible for the full amount. Most people need 35 qualifying years on their National Insurance record to get the full amount. The state pension rises every year in line with the triple lock promise.