Changes to State Pension age

Currently, the State Pension age is 65 for men born before 6 April 1959. For women born on or before 5 April 1950, State Pension age is 60.

The State Pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950 will increase gradually to 65 between 2010 and 2020.

From 6 April 2020 the State Pension age will be 65 for both men and women.

Changes from 2024

Between 2024 and 2046 the State Pension age will increase for both men and women. This increase will be gradual, happening over two years every decade. The changes will mean that:

State Pension age for men and women will increase from

• 65 to 66 between April 2024 and April 2026
• 66 to 67 between April 2034 and April 2036
• 67 to 68 between April 2044 and April 2046

The age you can claim your State Pension will be determined by when you were born.

You can find out exactly when you will be able to claim your State Pension by using the State Pension age calculator on The Pension Service website.

Choices

When you reach State Pension age, you can still work if you want to.

You can:

• stop working and get your State Pension
• carry on working and get your State Pension as well
• carry on working and put off claiming your State Pension

If you put off claiming your State Pension, you may get extra State Pension when you do claim it.

If you go on working after State Pension age, you don't have to carry on paying National Insurance contributions.

You can now also choose to put off claiming your State Pension for as long as you want. When you do claim you can choose to get either extra State Pension for the rest of your life, or receive a one-off, taxable lump-sum payment (which will be equivalent to the State Pension you put off claiming plus interest) as well as your regular weekly State Pension.

More on pensions on Direct Gov web site-

• Getting a State Pension forecast
• Changes to the State Pension age
• Home Responsibilities Protection
• Download leaflet 'State pensions – your guide'
• Download leaflet 'State pensions for parents and carers – your guide' (PM9) (PDF document, 141K) (opens new window)
• Understanding Pension Credit
• Understanding the basic State Pension
• Understanding the additional State Pension
• Getting a State Pension forecast
• State Pension for Britons living abroad
• Changes to pensions
• What happens to your State Pension when you die