Will you have to wait longer for your state pension — and what can you do about it?

What is changing with the state pension age?

For many years, 66 has been the age at which most people in the UK could claim their state pension. That is now changing. From April 2026, the state pension age is gradually rising to 67, and this transition will continue until it completes in 2028.

This is not happening overnight. The government is phasing in the change over two years, meaning different people will reach pension age at slightly different points depending on their exact date of birth. If you were born on 6 April 1960 or later, your pension age is no longer automatically 66.

The change has already begun. If you were born just after 6 April 1960 and were counting on receiving your pension this year at 66, you will now need to wait a little longer — and it is important to know this sooner rather than later so you can plan ahead.

Who does the rise to 67 actually affect?

The change affects anyone born after 6 April 1960. People born on or before that date can still retire at 66 as planned. Those born between 6 April 1960 and 5 April 1977 will see their state pension age transition to somewhere between 66 and 67, depending on their exact birth date. Anyone born after 5 April 1977 will reach state pension age at 67.

In practical terms, if you are currently 65 or 66 and were born after 6 April 1960, this change affects you right now. It is also worth knowing that the state pension age is set to rise again — to 68 — for those born after 1978, though that change is not expected until around 2044 to 2046.

If you are unsure whether you are affected, the best way to find out is to check your state pension age directly on the Government’s website — more on how to do that below.

How much is the state pension worth in 2026/27?

The state pension increased by 4.8% in April 2026, under the government’s Triple Lock guarantee. This means the pension rises each year by whichever is highest: average earnings growth, inflation, or 2.5%. This year, average earnings growth was the highest measure, triggering the 4.8% rise.

The new rates for 2026/27 are:

• Full new State Pension (for those who reached pension age after April 2016): £241.30 per week (£12,547.60 a year)
• Basic State Pension (for those who reached pension age before April 2016): £184.90 per week

The increase is welcome, but it is worth noting that the full new State Pension still falls below the Retirement Living Standards’ minimum income of around £13,400 a year for a single person. For many people, the state pension is a foundation — not the whole picture.

Your amount also depends on your National Insurance (NI) record. You generally need 35 qualifying years to receive the full amount, and at least 10 years to receive anything at all. The older you are, the more likely it is that your state pension is less than the headline figure — so it is always worth checking your personal forecast.

What if you cannot afford to wait until you are 67?

If you were planning to retire at 66 and now find you have an extra year to fill before your state pension begins, you are not alone — and there are options.

• Draw on a private or workplace pension early. Many personal and workplace pension pots can be accessed from age 55 (rising to 57 in 2028), so you may be able to use these to bridge the gap. Speak to a pension provider or independent financial adviser before doing this, as it can affect your long-term pot.
• Consider part-time work. Some people choose to reduce their hours rather than stop working altogether. This keeps income coming in, spreads out your pension pot, and can continue building NI contributions.
• Defer if you do not need it straight away. If you have other income and can afford to wait beyond 67, deferring your state pension increases your future payments. Every nine weeks you defer adds roughly 1% to your weekly amount — worth considering if your health and finances allow it.
• Check whether you are owed benefits. Many people over 60 do not claim the benefits they are entitled to. Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction may all help if your income is limited before pension age.

How can you check when you will receive your state pension?

The quickest way is to use the Government’s official State Pension forecast tool at gov.uk/check-state-pension. You will need a Government Gateway account to log in, which you can set up on the same site.

The tool will show you:

• Your personal state pension age
• How much you are forecast to receive
• Your NI record, including any gaps
• Whether you could increase your pension by filling NI gaps through voluntary contributions

Filling gaps in your NI record can be one of the most cost-effective financial decisions you make in later life. A one-off voluntary contribution of a few hundred pounds can add hundreds of pounds a year to your state pension for the rest of your life. Check gov.uk for current deadlines and costs, as these rules are updated each tax year.

Is there extra support if your income is low?

Yes — Pension Credit is specifically designed for people over state pension age whose income is low. From April 2026, it tops up your weekly income to a minimum of:

• £238.00 a week if you are single
• £363.25 a week if you are a couple

Pension Credit is also a gateway benefit — claiming it can unlock free NHS dental treatment, help with NHS glasses, Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence if you are 75 or over, and in some cases Housing Benefit. Estimates suggest up to 880,000 eligible households do not claim it. If you are on a low income and over state pension age, it is well worth checking whether you qualify at gov.uk/pension-credit.

What practical steps should you take right now?

Whether the state pension age rise affects you directly or not, May 2026 is a good moment to take stock of your retirement finances. Here is a simple checklist:

• Check your state pension age and forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension
• Review your NI record for gaps and consider whether voluntary contributions make sense for your situation
• Search for any lost pension pots using the government’s Pension Tracing Service at gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details — millions of pounds in unclaimed pensions go untraced every year
• Check your Pension Credit eligibility if you are already at state pension age and your income is modest
• Speak to an independent financial adviser if you are within five years of retirement — MoneyHelper (moneyhelper.org.uk) offers free, impartial guidance from the government-backed service