If you are planning for retirement, there’s an important update you need to be aware of. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that starting April 2026, the State Pension age in the UK will begin increasing from 66 to 67. This change will happen gradually over two years and will fully take effect by April 2028.
This means if you were expecting to retire at 66, you might now have to wait a little longer — and that could affect your financial plans.
Who Will Be Affected by the State Pension Age Change?
This change applies to anyone who will reach State Pension age between 6 April 2026 and 5 April 2028. If you fall into this group, your State Pension age will likely be closer to 67.
The DWP has already sent out letters between 2016 and 2018 to notify people expected to be affected. However, not everyone may remember receiving these letters, especially if plans or contact details changed since then.
That’s why it’s important to check your official State Pension age online using the tools on GOV.UK.
How to Check Your State Pension Age and Amount
You can use the Check Your State Pension tool available on the gov.uk website. It lets you find out:
- The exact age when you can start receiving your pension
- How much State Pension you are expected to get
- How many more National Insurance (NI) years you need for a full pension
The current full State Pension is £230.25 per week, based on having 35 years of full NI contributions. If you don’t have the full record, your weekly amount may be lower.
Why You Should Check Early
Experts are strongly advising people to check their retirement age and forecast well in advance. Fiona Peake, a personal finance expert at Ocean Finance, said that not knowing your pension age could leave you with a financial gap.
If you thought you could retire at 66 and later discover you need to wait until 67, you may end up short of money. This could be a serious problem if you’ve already reduced your working hours or don’t have much in private savings.
You might be forced to either use your savings earlier than planned, or keep working longer just to afford everyday expenses.
How to Prepare for the Change
Matthew Parden, CEO of Marygold & Co., highlighted the importance of planning for the time between leaving work and getting your pension. If there’s a gap, you’ll need to think about how you’ll manage financially — whether through personal savings, a private pension, or part-time work.
Checking your State Pension age and forecast now gives you time to adjust your plans. It helps avoid any unexpected shocks later on, especially since retirement planning involves long-term commitments.
With the State Pension age rising from 66 to 67 by 2028, it’s more important than ever to check when you’ll be able to claim your pension. This small action can help you plan better and avoid future financial problems. Use the free government tools, review your NI contributions, and make sure you’re ready for the changes ahead. Planning early is the best way to stay in control of your retirement journey.
FAQs
When is the State Pension age changing?
From April 2026, the State Pension age will gradually increase from 66 to 67. It will fully change by April 2028.
Who will be affected by the new pension age?
Anyone reaching State Pension age between 6 April 2026 and 5 April 2028 will be affected by the increase.
How do I check my State Pension age?
You can check your exact pension age and forecast using the ‘Check your State Pension’ tool on gov.uk.
How much is the full State Pension?
The full new State Pension is currently £230.25 a week, depending on your National Insurance record.
Why is it important to check early?
Knowing your pension age helps you plan finances better and avoid income gaps if you retire before you’re eligible.