When can I get my State Pension?

For people who have reached their State Pension age based on their date of birth.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

It depends on your date of birth. State Pension age is 66 for people born between 6 October 1954 and 5 April 1960, and is rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

Born 6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961: 66 plus 1 to 11 months, depending on your birth month.
Born 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977: 67.
Born on or after 6 April 1978: 68 under current law, though this could change after a review.
Use the official tool to check your exact date.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

66 if born 6 Oct 1954 to 5 Apr 1960
Rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028
67 if born 6 Mar 1961 to 5 Apr 1977

Current State Pension age

State Pension age is currently 66 for men and women. It is starting to rise to 67.

Your date of birth	Your State Pension age
Before 6 April 1960	66
6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961	Between 66 and 67, rising month by month
6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977	67
6 April 1977 to 5 April 1978	Between 67 and 68, rising month by month between 2044 and 2046
On or after 6 April 1978	68

The rise from 67 to 68 is set in current law, but the timetable could change after a future review.

The rise to 67 is happening between 2026 and 2028.

How to check your exact date

Use the State Pension age checker on GOV.UK. Enter your date of birth and it gives the exact date you reach State Pension age.

State Pension age is not a retirement age

You do not have to stop working when you reach State Pension age. You can keep working and still claim your State Pension. You will stop paying National Insurance on your earnings once you reach State Pension age, although you still pay Income Tax.

Your State Pension does not start automatically

You need to claim it. You should get a letter about 2 months before you reach State Pension age explaining how to claim. If you do not get one, you can still claim online or by phone. If you do not claim, it is deferred, and you get more later.

Other things that change at State Pension age

You can usually get Pension Credit if you are on a low income.
You can apply for Attendance Allowance instead of PIP if you need care.
In England, you can get a free older person's bus pass when you reach State Pension age. In London you can travel free within London from 60, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland you get a bus pass at 60.

How much you get

The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in 2026/27.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Rates are from the Department for Work and Pensions' official Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027. Rates usually change every April. State Pension ages are from the official State Pension age timetable, and bus pass ages from Apply for an older person's bus pass.

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check your exact State Pension age

Common questions

Is there a forced retirement age?

No. The default retirement age of 65 no longer exists and you can keep working.

Will State Pension age go up to 68?

Under current law it rises from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046, but this timetable could change after a review.

Official sources

1.State Pension age timetablewww.gov.uk/government/publications/state-pension-age-timetable/state-pension-age-timetable
2.Check your State Pension agewww.gov.uk/state-pension-age

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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