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Current State Pension age

For men born before 6 December 1953, the current State Pension age is 65.

For women born after 5 April 2023 but before 6 December 1953, their State Pension age is between 60 and 65.

Increase in State Pension age to 66

Under the Pensions Act 2011 women’s State Pension age will increase more quickly to 65 between April 2016 and November 2018. From December 2018 the State Pension age for both men and women will start to increase to reach 66 in October 2020.

These changes affect you if you're:

• a woman born on or after 6 April 2023
• a man born on or after 6 December 2023

The current law already provides for the State Pension age to increase to:

• 67 between 2034 and 2036
• 68 between 2044 and 2046
  

However, the government announced on 29 November 2023 that State Pension age will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. This change is not yet law and will require the approval of Parliament.

• Changes to the planned increase in State Pension age

The government is also considering how to make sure State Pension age continues to keep pace with increases in life expectancy. The government will bring forward proposals in due course.

You can use the State Pension age calculator to work out your State Pension age. The State Pension age calculator will tell you when you’ll reach State Pension age under the current law. It doesn’t take account of the recent announcement to bring forward the increase to 67.

Choices you have at State Pension age

State Pension age is not the same as retirement age. Retirement age is when you choose to retire, but you can still work after State Pension age.

When you reach State Pension age, you can:

If you put off claiming your State Pension, you may be able to get extra State Pension or lump-sum payment when you do claim it.

If you go on working after State Pension age, you don't have to carry on paying National Insurance contributions.

Putting off claiming the State Pension

You can choose to put off claiming your State Pension for as long as you want. When you do claim, you will will get your regular weekly State Pension and either

• extra State Pension each for the rest of your life
• a one-off, taxable lump-sum payment (which will be equivalent to the State Pension you put off claiming, plus interest)

• State Pension deferral - taking up your State Pension later

Retirement age

Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can get your State Pension. This is not the same as retirement age. Retirement age is when you choose to retire. Find out when you can choose to retire.

• Retirement age

Tell The Pension Service about a change in your circumstances

Find out what you need to report, such as a change of address or bank details.

• Report your change of address, bank details or other circumstances to The Pension Service

More useful links

• State Pension profiler – get a quick estimate of your basic State Pension

• Working past State Pension age - your options

• Free bus travel in England for older and disabled people

Useful contacts

• Retirement contacts

• Financial advice and support contacts

• Over 50s contacts