State Pension age in the UK (2026): by date of birth

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 for people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, and from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046 under the law now in force. The State Pension cannot be claimed before State Pension age.

RuleWhat applies
Statutory pension age in 2026Statutory old-age pension; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)66 years plus 1 to 11 months (one more month per monthly birth-date band) for people born from 6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961; 66 years for people born after 5 October 1954 and before 6 April 1960. [1]
Highest age already set in law or official publicationStatutory old-age pension; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)68 years for people born after 5 April 1978. [1]
Scheduled path of the ageStatutory old-age pension; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)67 years for people born from 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977. For people born from 6 April 1977 to 5 April 1978 it is reached on fixed dates from 6 May 2044 to 6 March 2046. 68 years for people born after 5 April 1978. [1]
Early retirement (national rule)Statutory old-age pension; Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)None: State Pension age is the earliest age at which the State Pension can be claimed. [2]

Notes

  • The government must review the rules on pensionable age within six years of each previous review; the law now in force is shown. The rules cited apply in Great Britain.

Sources

  1. legislation.gov.uk: Pensions Act 1995, Schedule 4: Equalisation of and increase in pensionable age for men and women (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. GOV.UK: Check your State Pension age (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.