State Pension age is rising – When can you access yours?

Millions of people across the UK will see significant changes to their retirement income this week. Starting from Monday, 6th April 2026, the State Pension is undergoing two major adjustments: a 4.8% increase to the amount paid out, and the beginning of a phased increase to the age at which you can claim it. In this article, we provide a simple breakdown of what is happening, how it affects you, and what practical steps you can take.

How much is the State Pension increasing by?

State Pension payments are increasing by up to £575 a year from April 2026, following a 4.8% boost under the government's 'triple lock' guarantee. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the increase will benefit over 12 million pensioners.

The triple lock system is designed to ensure that pension incomes keep pace with the rising cost of living. It dictates that the State Pension must increase each April by whichever is the highest out of three measures: average wage growth, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation, or a flat minimum of 2.5%.

For the 2026/27 tax year, the increase is based on average wage growth, which sat at 4.8% for the relevant measuring period.

State Pension payments for 2026/27:

• The New State Pension - For anyone who reached State Pension age on or after 6th April 2016, the full New State Pension is increasing by £11.05 a week to £241.30. This translates to a total annual income of £12,547.60, representing an annual increase of roughly £575.
• The Basic State Pension - For those who reached State Pension age before 6th April 2016, the full Basic State Pension is increasing by £8.45 a week to £184.90. This brings the total annual income to £9,614.80, representing an increase of just over £439 a year.

It is important to remember that not everyone receives the full State Pension. The exact amount you get depends entirely on your National Insurance (NI) record. You usually need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions to receive the full New State Pension, and at least 10 years to receive any payout at all.

Why is the State Pension age rising?

While the payment increase is welcome news for those already receiving their pension, the age at which you can claim your State Pension is also changing. From April 2026, the State Pension age begins its gradual climb from 66 to 67. This change is being implemented by the government to align pension eligibility with increasing life expectancies and the economic realities of an ageing population. The transition will be phased in over the next two years, meaning that people currently in their mid-60s will face a slightly longer wait before receiving their payments.

However, the policy of continually raising the State Pension age has been opposed by charities, campaigners, and policy experts. Critics argue that blanket increases disproportionately impact the most vulnerable in society.

Key concerns regarding the rising State Pension age include:

• Rising poverty rates - Not everyone is able to continue working into their late 60s. Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has highlighted that while raising the State Pension age does keep some people in work for longer, "at the same time, average household incomes fall and poverty rates rise." This is because the loss of expected pension income is often not offset by employment earnings, which is particularly devastating for those forced to leave work early due to ill health, job pressures, or caring responsibilities.
• The WASPI campaign - The deep controversy surrounding pension age changes is perhaps best highlighted by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign. The WASPI group represents millions of women born in the 1950s who were severely impacted when their State Pension age was previously raised from 60 to 65, and later to 66. Campaigners argue that the government provided inadequate notice of these changes, leaving many women with no time to alter their retirement plans and plunging them into financial hardship.
• A widening inequality gap - As campaigners like WASPI continue to fight for fair compensation following historical changes, there is growing concern that future increases to age 67 and beyond will only widen the inequality gap. Those with private wealth or robust workplace pensions can choose to retire early, while lower-income earners may be forced to work longer than their health allows simply to make ends meet.

These issues highlight why relying solely on the State Pension can be risky and demonstrate the importance of building your own private retirement savings where possible. Check out our article 'How to start paying into a pension in 2026' for more information.

When will you reach State Pension age?

If you were born between April 1960 and March 1961, your State Pension age will be rising gradually, depending on your exact date of birth. Those born after 6th March 1961 will have to wait until they turn 67.

The following timetable outlines exactly when you will reach State Pension age during this transition phase:

Date of birth	Date at which State Pension age is reached
06/04/60 to 05/05/60	66 years and 1 month
06/05/60 to 05/06/60	66 years and 2 months
06/06/60 to 05/07/60	66 years and 3 months
06/07/60 to 05/08/60	66 years and 4 months
06/08/60 to 05/09/60	66 years and 5 months
06/09/60 to 05/10/60	66 years and 6 months
06/10/60 to 05/11/60	66 years and 7 months
06/11/60 to 05/12/60	66 years and 8 months
06/12/60 to 05/01/61	66 years and 9 months
06/01/61 to 05/02/61	66 years and 10 months
06/02/61 to 05/03/61	66 years and 11 months
06/03/61 to 05/04/77	67 years

Source: Age UK

What steps should you take next?

There are some simple steps you can take to stay in control of your retirement planning. These include:

• Check your exact State Pension age - You can easily verify your personal State Pension age by using the free State Pension calculator on the government's official GOV.UK website.
• Get a State Pension forecast - While you are checking your age, it is highly recommended that you check your State Pension forecast online. This will tell you exactly how much money you are on track to receive based on your National Insurance (NI) record.
• Look for gaps in your record - You generally need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions to receive the full New State Pension. If you have gaps due to time spent abroad, raising children, or not working, you may be able to make voluntary contributions to boost your eventual payout.
• Review your private pensions - Because the State Pension is usually just a foundation, consider reviewing your workplace or private pensions to ensure you are comfortable with your projected total retirement income.