State Pension age for men and women is gradually increasing from 65 to 68. This also affects when both men and women can claim Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits for pensioners.

Age of entitlement for Pension Credit

The minimum age for the guarantee element of Pension Credit, and for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support for people of pension age, is increasing in line with the state pension age.

If you are in a couple your eligibility for pension age means-tested benefits is determined by the age of the older person in the couple. This rule was reversed on 15 May 2019 as it used to be the age of the younger member of a couple that determined whether they qualify.

For information see Universal Credit and pension age for couples.

Increase in state pension age from 65 to 66

The schedule for the increase in men's and women's state pension age from 65 to 66 is as follows:

• People born 06/12/53 – 05/01/54 can claim from 06/03/2019
• People born 06/01/54 – 05/02/54 can claim from 06/05/2019
• People born 06/02/54 – 05/03/54 can claim from 06/07/2019
• People born 06/03/54 – 05/04/54 can claim from 06/09/2019
• People born 06/04/54 – 05/05/54 can claim from 06/11/2019
• People born 06/05/54 – 05/06/54 can claim from 06/01/2020
• People born 06/06/54 – 05/07/54 can claim from 06/03/2020
• People born 06/07/54 – 05/08/54 can claim from 06/05/2020
• People born 06/08/54 – 05/09/54 can claim from 06/07/2020
• People born 06/09/54 – 05/10/54 can claim from 06/09/2020
• People born 06/10/54 – 05/04/60 can claim from their 66th birthday

Increase in state pension age from 66 to 67

Once state pension age for men and women has reached 66 in October 2020 there will then be further increases. Pension age is set to increase from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Rather than using specific dates for people born within a certain period, people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will reach pension age when they are 66 and the specified number of months below.

• People born 06/04/60 – 05/05/60 can claim from 66 years and 1 month
• People born 06/05/60 – 05/06/60 can claim from 66 years and 2 months
• People born 06/06/60 – 05/07/60 can claim from 66 years and 3 months
• People born 06/07/60 – 05/08/60 can claim from 66 years and 4 months
• People born 06/08/60 – 05/09/60 can claim from 66 years and 5 months
• People born 06/09/60 – 05/10/60 can claim from 66 years and 6 months
• People born 06/10/60 – 05/11/60 can claim from 66 years and 7 months
• People born 06/11/60 – 05/12/60 can claim from 66 years and 8 months
• People born 06/12/60 – 05/01/61 can claim from 66 years and 9 months
• People born 06/01/61 – 05/02/61 can claim from 66 years and 10 months
• People born 06/02/61 – 05/03/61 can claim from 66 years and 11 months
• People born 06/03/61 – 05/04/77 can claim from their 67th birthday

Note:

A person born on 31 July 1960 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 4 months on 30 November 2026. A person born on 31 December 1960 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 9 months on 30 September 2027. A person born on 31 January 1961 is considered to reach the age of 66 years and 10 months on 30 November 2027.

State Pension Age increases beyond age 67

Current law allows for State Pension age for men and women to increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046 but this timetable could be changed by the government. The current law is shown below and we will update this guide (and the calculator) if and when the law is amended.

• People born 6 April 1977 – 5 May 1977 can claim from 6 May 2044
• People born 6 May 1977 – 5 June 1977 can claim from 6 July 2044
• People born 6 June 1977 – 5 July 1977 can claim from 6 September 2044
• People born 6 July 1977 – 5 August 1977 can claim from 6 November 2044
• People born 6 August 1977 – 5 September 1977 can claim from 6 January 2045
• People born 6 September 1977 – 5 October 1977 can claim from 6 March 2045
• People born 6 October 1977 – 5 November 1977 can claim from 6 May 2045
• People born 6 November 1977 – 5 December 1977 can claim from 6 July 2045
• People born 6 December 1977 – 5 January 1978 can claim from 6 September 2045
• People born 6 January 1978 – 5 February 1978 can claim from 6 November 2045
• People born 6 February 1978 – 5 March 1978 can claim from 6 January 2046
• People born 6 March 1978 – 5 April 1978 can claim from 6 March 2046
• People born 6 April 1978 onwards can claim from their 68th birthday

It is likely that further increases in state pension age, to age 70 and beyond, will be announced in the future.