At some point, most of us stop and wonder: When can I finally retire? It’s a question that doesn’t just float around in your 60s—it often creeps in much earlier, especially if you’re trying to plan ahead. And if you’re living in the UK and banking on the State Pension as part of that plan, well, there’s a change coming that you’ll probably want to pay attention to.
Starting in 2026, the UK government is set to raise the State Pension age from 66 to 67. It won’t happen overnight—it’ll be gradual, rolled out over a couple of years—but it will affect millions, particularly people in their early 60s who were gearing up to retire at 66.
So what exactly is changing, and what should you do about it? Let’s walk through it.
A Quick Refresher: What Is the State Pension, Anyway?
The State Pension is basically a weekly payment from the government that kicks in once you hit a certain age—currently 66—and have paid enough National Insurance (NI) during your working life. It’s meant to help cover living expenses once you stop working, and for many, it forms a major part of their retirement income.
Right now, if you’ve made at least 10 years of NI contributions, you’ll qualify for some State Pension. For the full amount, it’s typically 35 years of contributions. The exact figure depends on your NI record, of course, but the system is designed to offer a basic income in later life.
So, What’s Changing in 2026?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2028, the State Pension age will start rising—from 66 to 67.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- If you were born before 6 April 1960, nothing changes. You’ll still get your pension at 66.
- Born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1961? Your State Pension age will increase slightly, depending on your exact date of birth.
- Born between 6 April 1961 and 5 April 1977? You’re now looking at age 67 before you can claim your pension.
It’s a shift that might not seem drastic at first glance—just one more year, right? But for those already inching toward retirement, that year can feel like a major hurdle.
Why Is the Government Doing This?
Honestly, it comes down to three main things:
- People are living longer. Which is great, of course. But it also means the government is paying pensions for longer—sometimes decades. To keep things sustainable, they need to adjust the age.
- The system costs more every year. As life expectancy rises, so do pension payouts. Increasing the age slightly delays when people start collecting, which saves money.
- Fewer working-age people. There are now fewer people in the workforce compared to the number of retirees. That imbalance puts extra strain on the public budget.
Whether that feels like a fair trade-off… well, that depends on where you’re standing.
Who’s Likely to Feel This the Most?
In short: people born between 1960 and 1977.
Especially those who were planning, maybe even counting down the months, to retire at 66. If you had a financial plan in place based on that age—maybe you’d budgeted out your savings, maybe you were thinking of downsizing your home—it can throw things off.
For instance, someone born on 1 January 1962 would’ve previously expected to retire at 66. Under the new rules? That’s now 67. A full extra year of work or, if not work, funding your retirement from your own pocket before the pension kicks in.
What Does That Mean for Your Retirement Plans?
It’s more than just waiting 12 months. That one year might reshape how and when you step away from work.
- Delayed Retirement: If you’d hoped to leave work at 66, you may need to push that to 67 unless you can afford to bridge the gap.
- Greater Reliance on Personal Savings: Retiring before your State Pension starts means you’ll need to tap into personal savings or your workplace pension sooner.
- Health Challenges: Not everyone can comfortably keep working into their late 60s—especially those in physically demanding roles or with ongoing health issues.
It’s not just about money. It’s about energy, lifestyle, and even identity, for some people.
What Can You Do About It?
If you’re affected by the upcoming changes, you’re not powerless. Here are a few practical steps:
- Check Your Retirement Age: Use the government’s tool on GOV.UK to see your official State Pension age.
- Request a Pension Forecast: This tells you how much State Pension you’re likely to receive based on your NI contributions so far.
- Review Your Savings: Take a closer look at your private and workplace pensions. Are your contributions enough? Is there room to top up?
- Speak to a Financial Advisor: They can help you build a strategy that works for your lifestyle, taking this new timeline into account.
- Stay Up to Date: Policies evolve. There’s already talk about raising the pension age to 68 by 2034. It’s worth keeping an eye on the news and planning accordingly.
Is It Fair? Depends Who You Ask.
Some people say yes—it makes sense given longer life spans and tighter budgets.
Others feel pretty strongly that it’s unfair, especially:
- People in manual labour or physically demanding jobs, who may have a harder time working into their late 60s.
- Workers from lower-income backgrounds who may not have large private pensions to lean on.
There’s also the emotional side. For some, this change feels like a shifting goalpost—one they’ve spent decades working toward, only to have it move just before they reach it.
In Closing: Don’t Wait to Rethink Your Plans
The jump from 66 to 67 might sound small on paper, but in reality, it’s a major shift in how many people approach retirement in the UK.
If you’re within a decade or so of retirement age—or even just beginning to think about your long-term future—this is the time to take a closer look. Check your projected pension age. Understand your NI contributions. Rethink your savings plan. And maybe, start those conversations with your family or a financial advisor sooner than later.
Retirement might not look quite the way you imagined it, but with the right steps, it can still be secure—and maybe even a bit better than you expected.
FAQs (Just in Case You Missed Something)
1. What’s the current State Pension age in the UK?
Right now, it’s 66 for both men and women. That’s changing soon, though.
2. When will the change to age 67 happen?
Between 6 April 2026 and 5 April 2028. It’s a gradual rollout, based on your date of birth.
3. Who is affected?
Anyone born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1977. Your new pension age might be up to 67.
4. Why is this happening?
People are living longer, and the pension system needs to remain financially stable. Fewer working-age people also means fewer taxes to fund pensions.
5. Will I get less money?
No—your pension amount won’t change. But you will receive it later, which could impact how you fund those in-between years if you retire early.