The State Pension age in the United Kingdom will rise from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028, a shift driven by the UK Government under the Pensions Act 2014. The change targets cohorts born from 6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961, adding a month‑by‑month rollout rather than a single jump date. Analysts warn the move could unleash a wave of fiscal pressure, with some even suggesting that future ages might edge toward 80 if the cost curve stays steep.
Why the timetable was accelerated
Back in 2014, lawmakers decided to bring forward the rise to 67 by eight years, trimming the original schedule that would have seen the jump in the early 2030s. The decision reflected longevity data showing people living longer, healthier lives, meaning the pension system would need to support retirees for more years. The official timetable on GOV.UK breaks the rollout into monthly increments: anyone born between 6 April 1960 and 5 May 1960 will hit pension age at 66 years + 1 month, those born a month later at 66 years + 2 months, and so on, until the full 67 years is reached for the latest birth cohort.
Historical backdrop
From the post‑war era until 2010, the gender gap was stark – 60 for women, 65 for men. The 1995 Pensions Act equalised the ages, and a series of reforms in 2007, 2011 and 2014 nudged both sexes toward a common age of 68 by the mid‑2040s. The recent increase to 67 is just the next step on that long‑running ladder.
Financial stakes and expert warnings
When you add the numbers, the picture looks uneasy. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projects the state pension bill could hit about £200 billion a year by 2073, representing roughly 7.7‑8.4 % of GDP. That’s a sharp climb from the current £50 billion‑plus outlay.
“Keeping the cost at a similar proportion of GDP would then require a massive increase in the state pension age, potentially up to the dizzying heights of 80,” warned Jack Carmichael, actuary at Barnett Waddingham. Carmichael told The Independent that without a radical redesign, the system could become “completely unaffordable.”
Meanwhile, research from Standard Life published on 11 October 2025 paints a personal side to the macro picture. The so‑called “Retirement Expectation Gap” shows the average employee still dreams of stopping work at 62, yet expects to stay employed until 67 – a five‑year stretch that many feel unprepared for.
Regional variations in the retirement gap
Geography matters. Workers in the North East face the widest gap at 5.9 years, while Londoners see only a 3.5‑year difference. Yorkshire and the Humber, the East of England and the South East all sit around 5.3 years, and Scotland and Wales each report roughly 4.9 years. These disparities reflect uneven wage growth, cost‑of‑living pressures and differing access to upskilling opportunities.
What the numbers mean for retirees today
The full State Pension for 2025/26 sits at £230.25 a week (£11,973 a year). Fidelity’s analysis predicts a 4.7 % rise for 2026/27, nudging the weekly amount just above £241 (£12,535 annually). That’s a 30 % jump in four years, yet still well below the earnings of many modern workers.
Because the pension age is now a moving target, the Government maintains an online checking tool on GOV.UK that lets citizens calculate their exact entitlement date. The tool carries a disclaimer that the timetable is regularly reviewed, meaning today’s answer could shift as life‑expectancy forecasts evolve.
Potential policy responses
Policymakers have a few levers. One route is to tighten the “triple lock” – the rule that pensions rise by the highest of inflation, earnings growth or 2.5 %. Adjusting that could temper future increases but would likely sting retirees who rely on steady growth. Another option is to boost employee and employer contributions, a move that would hit take‑home pay but could shore up the fund’s solvency.
Some experts, like the Pensions Age‑focused think‑tank Broadstone, argue a gradual shift toward longer working lives – perhaps incentivising part‑time roles for older workers – would ease the fiscal bite without dramatic age hikes.
What comes next?
Beyond 2028, the next scheduled lift will push the age to 68 between 2044 and 2046. However, the OBR’s long‑term forecasts suggest that pressures may force a review well before then. Watch for the next State Pension Age Review, slated for a public consultation in early 2026, where the Government will weigh demographic trends, fiscal constraints and public sentiment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the new pension age affect people born in 1960‑61?
Those born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will not all reach pension age on the same day. Instead, their entitlement rolls out month by month, starting at 66 years + 1 month for the earliest cohort and adding a month for each subsequent birth‑window until the full 67 years is reached for the latest group.
What is the ‘Retirement Expectation Gap’ and why does it matter?
The gap measures the difference between the age people wish to retire (around 62) and the age they expect to have to work until (about 67). A larger gap signals higher stress on workers, especially in regions where wages grow slowly, and can fuel calls for policy change or retraining programmes.
Why are experts like Jack Carmichael warning about ages as high as 80?
Carmichael’s modelling shows that if pension spending continues to climb toward 8 % of GDP, the only way to keep the system affordable without massive tax hikes is to push the retirement age much higher. He says without structural reform, ages could drift toward 80 in the distant future.
What could the government do to ease the financial strain?
Options include adjusting the triple lock, raising employee/employer contribution rates, or encouraging flexible, part‑time work for older employees. Each approach balances fiscal sustainability against the risk of reducing living standards for retirees.
When will the next official review of the State Pension age take place?
A formal review is expected to start in early 2026, with a public consultation that will assess life‑expectancy trends, economic forecasts and public opinion ahead of any further timetable adjustments.
