DWP Confirms Major State Pension Changes Starting In 2026 – Who Will Be Affected?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a major change to the UK State Pension age starting in April 2026.

At present, both men and women can claim their pension once they reach 66 years old.

However, from 2026, this age limit will gradually increase, and by March 2028, the full State Pension age will be 67.

This shift will not happen all at once but will be phased in gradually, based on date of birth. People born earlier in the transition period will only face a short delay, while those born later will have to wait until 67.

The UK government has introduced this staged approach to reduce the sudden impact on people approaching retirement.

Why the Pension Age Is Changing

The rise in pension age has been planned due to longer life expectancy and the growing cost of supporting retirees.

Over the last few decades, people in the UK are living many years longer on average, which means they are drawing pensions for more years.

This adds extra financial pressure on the pension system.

Another factor is the changing ratio of working-age people to retirees.

With fewer workers supporting more retirees, the system requires adjustments to remain financially sustainable.

Increasing the pension age helps to balance the system and ensure future generations can still receive payments.

How the New State Pension Age Will Apply

Currently, everyone is entitled to begin their State Pension at 66. Starting in April 2026, the age will be tied to your date of birth.

People born at the very beginning of the transition period will only see a one- or two-month delay, while those born later will have to wait until they turn 67.

Pension Age Schedule from April 2026

Here is the official schedule of changes:

Date of Birth Range	New Pension Age
April 6, 1960 – May 5, 1960	66 years + 1 month
May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960	66 years + 2 months
June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960	66 years + 3 months
July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960	66 years + 4 months
August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960	66 years + 5 months
September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960	66 years + 6 months
October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960	66 years + 7 months
November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960	66 years + 8 months
December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961	66 years + 9 months
January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961	66 years + 10 months
February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961	66 years + 11 months
March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977	67 years

Anyone born after April 5, 1977 will automatically need to reach 67 years old before claiming.

Government proposals also suggest a further rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046, though this will depend on future reviews.

Basic State Pension vs. New State Pension

It’s important to remember that the amount of pension you receive depends on which system you fall under. The UK operates two pension systems:

• Basic State Pension (applies to older birth cohorts)
• New State Pension (applies to those born after the cut-off dates)

You cannot move from one system to the other, as eligibility is tied to date of birth.

Weekly and Annual Rates for 2025

Pension Type	Weekly Rate	Annual Amount
Basic State Pension	£176.45	£9,175.40
New State Pension	£230.25	£11,973.00
Annual Difference	—	£2,797.60

This means individuals on the Basic State Pension will receive £53.80 less per week, adding up to nearly £2,800 less each year compared to someone on the New State Pension.

Who Qualifies for Each Pension?

• Basic State Pension: Men born before 6 April 1951 and women born before 6 April 1953.
• New State Pension: Anyone born after these dates, with the system introduced in April 2016 to simplify rules and provide higher average payments.

Impact on Retirement Plans

For those nearing retirement, the later pension age means they may face a financial gap before payments begin. This could require individuals to:

• Work for a longer period
• Rely on private or workplace pensions
• Use personal savings to cover living expenses

Financial experts recommend that people in their early 60s begin reviewing their retirement plans.

Increasing savings, cutting back on large expenses, or adjusting spending habits can help fill any income gaps.

The Triple Lock Guarantee

Despite the rise in age, the government has confirmed that the Triple Lock system will remain in place. This means that each year, the State Pension will increase by whichever is highest:

• 2.5%
• Inflation (CPI)
• Average UK wage growth

This ensures that pensions continue to maintain their value and keep up with the rising cost of living.

Key Takeaways

• The State Pension age will rise from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and March 2028.
• Anyone born after April 5, 1977 will automatically have a pension age of 67.
• The Basic State Pension pays significantly less than the New State Pension – a difference of almost £2,800 annually.
• Retirement planning is essential, as many people may face an income gap before their State Pension begins.
• The Triple Lock ensures pensions will still rise every year.

The confirmed rise in the UK State Pension age marks an important shift in retirement planning for millions of people.

While the staged approach helps ease the transition, it still means many will have to wait longer before receiving payments.

With life expectancy continuing to grow and financial pressures on the system increasing, preparing in advance is crucial.

Whether through private savings, workplace pensions, or working longer, individuals should take proactive steps now to ensure a secure and comfortable retirement.

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