Understanding the 2026 State Pension Landscape
The UK State Pension system is undergoing significant changes. As we navigate through 2026, we are on the cusp of the scheduled increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67. Understanding exactly where you stand is crucial for financial planning.
For many years, the pension age was 60 for women and 65 for men. This was equalised at 65 in 2018, and subsequently rose to 66 by October 2020. Now, pursuant to the Pensions Act 2014, the next phase of increases is set to begin.
Key Quick Facts for 2026
- Current Age: 66 years (for those reaching pension age before April 2026).
- Upcoming Change: Rises to 67 between 6 April 2026 and 5 March 2028.
- Full Rate (2025/26): £221.20 per week (£11,502.40/year).
- Min Qualifying Years: 10 years needed to receive anything.
- Full Pension Qualifying Years: 35 years needed for the full rate.
- Triple Lock: Pension rises by highest of CPI, earnings, or 2.5%.
State Pension Age by Birth Year: 1950–2000
The table below provides a comprehensive reference for pension ages based on year of birth. Transitional periods are shown separately. Use this alongside the calculator above for the exact date.
| Birth Year Range |
State Pension Age |
Approximate Pension Date (Men & Women) |
Legislation |
| Born before 6 Apr 1950 (Women) | 60 | Already reached | Pre-equalisation |
| Born before 6 Dec 1953 (Men) | 65 | Already reached | Pre-equalisation |
| 6 Apr 1950 – 5 Apr 1953 (Women) | 60–65 (transitional) | Already reached | Pensions Act 1995 |
| 6 Apr 1953 – 5 Apr 1955 (Both) | 65 (transitional 63–65) | Already reached | Pensions Act 2011 |
| 6 Apr 1954 – 5 Apr 1960 | 66 | Apr 2020 – Apr 2026 | Pensions Act 2011 |
| 6 Apr 1960 – 5 May 1960 | 66 years 1 month | 6 May 2026 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 May 1960 – 5 Jun 1960 | 66 years 2 months | 6 Jul 2026 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Jun 1960 – 5 Jul 1960 | 66 years 3 months | 6 Sep 2026 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Jul 1960 – 5 Aug 1960 | 66 years 4 months | 6 Nov 2026 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Aug 1960 – 5 Sep 1960 | 66 years 5 months | 6 Jan 2027 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Sep 1960 – 5 Oct 1960 | 66 years 6 months | 6 Mar 2027 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Oct 1960 – 5 Nov 1960 | 66 years 7 months | 6 May 2027 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Nov 1960 – 5 Dec 1960 | 66 years 8 months | 6 Jul 2027 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Dec 1960 – 5 Jan 1961 | 66 years 9 months | 6 Sep 2027 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Jan 1961 – 5 Feb 1961 | 66 years 10 months | 6 Nov 2027 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Feb 1961 – 5 Mar 1961 | 66 years 11 months | 6 Jan 2028 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Mar 1961 – 5 Apr 1977 | 67 | Mar 2028 – Apr 2044 | Pensions Act 2014 |
| 6 Apr 1977 – 5 Apr 1978 (proposed) | 67–68 (transitional) | Apr 2044 – Apr 2046 | Proposed |
| Born after 6 Apr 1978 | 68 (proposed) | After Apr 2046 | Proposed (not yet law) |
| Born 1990 – 2000 | 68+ (under review) | TBC by legislation | Subject to future review |
Women's State Pension Age History: From 60 to 66 (and Beyond)
The history of women's state pension age in the UK is a story of gradual equalisation — and significant controversy. For decades, women could retire at 60 while men waited until 65. The WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign brought national attention to the way many women were affected by rapid, inadequately communicated changes.
| Period / Legislation |
Women's Pension Age |
Key Change |
| Pre-1995 | 60 | Long-standing women's entitlement |
| Pensions Act 1995 | Rising from 60 to 65 | Equalisation with men scheduled for 2010–2020 |
| Pensions Act 2011 | Accelerated rise to 65 by Nov 2018 | Earlier than original 1995 timeline; limited notice given |
| Pensions Act 2011 (additional) | 65 → 66 by Oct 2020 | Equalised with men at 66 by October 2020 |
| Pensions Act 2014 | 66 → 67 (2026–2028) | Affects women born 6 Apr 1960 – 5 Mar 1961 (transitional) |
| 2014 Act / Future review | 67 → 68 (2044–2046 planned) | Subject to further government review; may be brought forward |
WASPI Women: Women born in the 1950s (particularly 6 April 1950 – 5 April 1960) were significantly affected by the accelerated equalisation. Many had insufficient notice to adjust their retirement plans. The Ombudsman's 2024 report found maladministration in how the changes were communicated. The government's response on financial redress was still under consideration in early 2026.
New State Pension vs Basic State Pension: What's the Difference?
Many people are confused by references to both the "New State Pension" and the "Basic State Pension." The system changed fundamentally in April 2016, and your entitlement depends entirely on when you reached State Pension age.
| Feature |
Basic State Pension (old system) |
New State Pension (post April 2016) |
| Who gets it | Reached pension age before 6 Apr 2016 | Reached pension age on or after 6 Apr 2016 |
| Full amount (2025/26) | £169.50 per week | £221.20 per week |
| Qualifying years for full amount | 30 qualifying years | 35 qualifying years |
| Minimum qualifying years | 1 year (for any payment) | 10 years |
| Additional State Pension | Yes – SERPS/S2P on top | No – already consolidated |
| Contracting out impact | May have reduced entitlement | Starting amount calculated; may be lower |
| Annual increase mechanism | Triple Lock | Triple Lock |
| Taxable? | Yes (added to other income) | Yes (added to other income) |
2025/26 State Pension Rates at a Glance:
- Full New State Pension: £221.20/week (£11,502.40/year)
- Full Basic State Pension: £169.50/week (£8,814/year)
- Maximum Additional State Pension (SERPS): approximately £218.39/week for those with maximum entitlement
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (single person): £218.15/week
National Insurance Qualifying Years: How Many Do You Need?
Your State Pension entitlement is directly tied to the number of qualifying years on your National Insurance (NI) record. A qualifying year is any tax year in which you pay sufficient NI contributions, receive NI credits, or pay voluntary contributions.
| Qualifying Years |
New State Pension Entitlement |
Weekly Amount (2025/26) |
Annual Amount |
| 0–9 years | None | £0.00 | £0 |
| 10 years (minimum) | 10/35 = 28.57% | £63.20 | £3,286 |
| 15 years | 15/35 = 42.86% | £94.80 | £4,930 |
| 20 years | 20/35 = 57.14% | £126.40 | £6,573 |
| 25 years | 25/35 = 71.43% | £158.00 | £8,216 |
| 30 years | 30/35 = 85.71% | £189.60 | £9,859 |
| 35 years (full) | 100% | £221.20 | £11,502 |
| 40+ years | 100% (no additional benefit) | £221.20 | £11,502 |
You can earn qualifying years in several ways:
- Employed: Paying Class 1 NI contributions on earnings above the Lower Earnings Limit (£6,396/year in 2025/26)
- Self-employed: Paying Class 2 NI contributions (£3.45/week in 2025/26)
- NI Credits: Automatically awarded if you are on certain benefits (Universal Credit, Carer's Allowance, Child Benefit for a child under 12)
- Voluntary Class 3 Contributions: £17.45/week (2025/26) to fill gaps in your record
Filling NI Gaps: You can typically buy back up to 6 years of missing NI contributions. HMRC has temporarily extended this window — check gov.uk for the current deadline. For someone who needs to buy 5 years of Class 3 contributions at £17.45/week, the total cost is approximately £4,537. If this adds 5/35ths to your pension (approximately £31.60/week), you recover the cost in roughly 2.8 years of claiming.
Pension Credit: Support If Your Income Is Low
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age on a low income. In 2025/26, it tops up your weekly income to a minimum of:
- Single person: £218.15 per week
- Couple: £332.95 per week
Pension Credit has two elements: Guarantee Credit (tops up income to the minimum) and Savings Credit (available to those who reached pension age before 6 April 2016 and have savings).
Uptake Problem: An estimated 880,000 eligible households do not claim Pension Credit, leaving up to £1.7 billion in unclaimed support. If your weekly income from all sources (pension, part-time work, savings income) is below £218.15 (single) or £332.95 (couple), check your eligibility at gov.uk/pension-credit.
Pension Credit also "unlocks" other benefits:
- Free NHS dental treatment
- Free eye tests and glasses vouchers
- Cold Weather Payments (£25 per qualifying 7-day cold spell)
- Housing Benefit at full rate
- Council Tax Reduction
The Triple Lock: How Your Pension Grows Each Year
The Triple Lock is one of the most valuable guarantees in the UK state benefits system. It commits the government to increase the State Pension each April by the highest of three measures:
- CPI Inflation (Consumer Price Index for the year to September)
- Average Earnings Growth (average weekly earnings growth for May–July)
- 2.5% (the guaranteed minimum floor)
| Tax Year |
Triple Lock Measure Used |
% Increase |
Full New State Pension |
| 2020/21 | Earnings (2.5% floor applied) | 3.9% | £175.20/week |
| 2021/22 | 2.5% floor (Triple Lock suspended) | 2.5% | £179.60/week |
| 2022/23 | CPI Inflation | 3.1% | £185.15/week |
| 2023/24 | Earnings growth | 10.1% | £203.85/week |
| 2024/25 | Earnings growth | 8.5% | £221.20/week |
| 2025/26 | Earnings growth | 4.1% | £230.25/week (projected) |
Critics of the Triple Lock argue it is unsustainable. The 2023/24 increase of 10.1% cost the Treasury an additional £11 billion compared to a CPI-only uprating. Government actuaries estimate the policy costs approximately 1% of GDP per decade to maintain. A "Double Lock" (removing the 2.5% floor) has been discussed but the policy was reaffirmed for this parliament.
Deferring Your State Pension: Is It Worth It?
If you do not claim your State Pension when you first become eligible, it is automatically deferred. The longer you defer, the higher your weekly pension when you eventually claim — but you will receive fewer weeks of payments overall.
| Deferral Period |
% Increase |
Extra Weekly Amount |
New Weekly Total |
Break-Even Point |
| No deferral | 0% | £0 | £221.20 | — |
| 1 year (52 weeks) | ~5.78% | +£12.78 | £233.98 | ~17.3 years |
| 2 years | ~11.56% | +£25.57 | £246.77 | ~17.3 years |
| 3 years | ~17.33% | +£38.33 | £259.53 | ~17.3 years |
| 5 years | ~28.89% | +£63.90 | £285.10 | ~17.3 years |
The deferral rate is 1% increase for every 9 weeks deferred (approximately 5.8% per year). The break-even point is roughly 17-18 years of claiming, after which you come out ahead. If you defer for 1 year and then claim from age 67, you would need to live to approximately 84 to break even. Average UK life expectancy at 67 is approximately 18-20 more years (to age 85-87), making deferral marginally worthwhile for those in good health.
Deferral Tips:
- You cannot get a lump sum for deferred State Pension under the new system (this was only for the old system, pre-2016)
- If you are married/in a civil partnership and defer, your spouse does not benefit from your higher pension after your death (unless they inherit under specific rules)
- Deferral is most beneficial if you are still working and don't need the income yet
- Always check whether deferral pushes your total income above the Personal Allowance threshold, potentially triggering tax on the pension
The Transition to Age 67 (2026–2028): Full Schedule
If you were born before 6 April 1960, you have already reached, or will reach, your State Pension age at 66. You are not affected by the immediate rise to 67.
However, if you were born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, your State Pension age will be between 66 years and 1 month and 67 years.
| Date of Birth | State Pension Age | Pension Date (earliest claim) |
|---|
| Before 6 Apr 1960 | 66 years | Already reached |
| 6 Apr 1960 – 5 May 1960 | 66 years + 1 month | 6 May 2026 |
| 6 May 1960 – 5 Jun 1960 | 66 years + 2 months | 6 Jul 2026 |
| 6 Jun 1960 – 5 Jul 1960 | 66 years + 3 months | 6 Sep 2026 |
| 6 Jul 1960 – 5 Aug 1960 | 66 years + 4 months | 6 Nov 2026 |
| 6 Aug 1960 – 5 Sep 1960 | 66 years + 5 months | 6 Jan 2027 |
| 6 Sep 1960 – 5 Oct 1960 | 66 years + 6 months | 6 Mar 2027 |
| 6 Oct 1960 – 5 Nov 1960 | 66 years + 7 months | 6 May 2027 |
| 6 Nov 1960 – 5 Dec 1960 | 66 years + 8 months | 6 Jul 2027 |
| 6 Dec 1960 – 5 Jan 1961 | 66 years + 9 months | 6 Sep 2027 |
| 6 Jan 1961 – 5 Feb 1961 | 66 years + 10 months | 6 Nov 2027 |
| 6 Feb 1961 – 5 Mar 1961 | 66 years + 11 months | 6 Jan 2028 |
| 6 Mar 1961 – 5 Apr 1977 | 67 years | Mar 2028 onwards |
| After 5 Apr 1977 | 68 years (proposed) | To be confirmed by legislation |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current UK State Pension Age in 2026?
As of early 2026, the State Pension age is 66 for both men and women. However, a gradual increase to 67 begins in April 2026 and completes in March 2028. If you were born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, your pension age will fall between 66 and 67 years — use the calculator above to find your exact date.
How many qualifying years of National Insurance do I need?
To receive any amount of the New State Pension, you need at least 10 qualifying years. To receive the full amount of £221.20/week (2025/26), you need 35 qualifying years. Each qualifying year you have between 10 and 35 adds 1/35th of the full amount to your entitlement (approximately £6.32/week per year in 2025/26).
When will the State Pension age rise to 68?
Under current legislation, the State Pension age is scheduled to rise to 68 between 2044 and 2046, affecting those born after 5 April 1977. However, actuarial reviews have suggested the government could bring this forward to 2037–2039. A final legislative decision has not been made. Anyone born after 1978 should be aware their pension age may yet change.
Can I claim my State Pension while still working?
Yes. There is no requirement to stop working to claim your State Pension. The pension is not means-tested. However, it is taxable income and will be added to your employment income when calculating your total tax liability. Positively, once you reach State Pension age you stop paying National Insurance on your earnings — a useful saving if you continue working.
How much is the New State Pension for 2025/26?
The full rate for the New State Pension in 2025/26 is £221.20 per week, equivalent to £11,502.40 per year. This was set following a 4.1% Triple Lock increase driven by earnings growth. The actual amount you receive depends on your National Insurance record — check your personal forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension.
What happens if I defer my State Pension?
Deferring your State Pension increases the amount you receive when you eventually claim it. For every 9 weeks you defer, your pension increases by 1% (approximately 5.8% per year). There is no lump sum option under the new system. The break-even point — where you have received more from the higher deferred pension than you would have from claiming on time — is roughly 17–18 years of claiming.
How do I check my National Insurance record?
Log in to your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk using your Government Gateway ID. The "Check your State Pension forecast" service shows: (1) your current NI record and how many qualifying years you have; (2) your projected pension amount; (3) your State Pension age; (4) any gaps in your record and how to fill them. You can also call the Future Pension Centre on 0800 731 0175 for a personalised statement.
What is the Triple Lock and how does it work?
The Triple Lock is a government commitment, first introduced in 2010, guaranteeing the State Pension rises each April by the highest of three measures: (1) CPI inflation (September figure); (2) average earnings growth (May–July); or (3) a minimum of 2.5%. In 2025/26, the increase was 4.1% driven by earnings growth, raising the full new State Pension to £221.20/week. The policy protects pensioners' purchasing power but has faced criticism for its cost to the public finances.