How the State Pension age calculator works
Your State Pension age is the earliest date you can start getting your State Pension. It's set by law and depends only on your date of birth. It's the same for men and women and across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The calculator applies the timetables in the Pensions Act 2007 and the Pensions Act 2014, which are the current law:
| Date of birth | State Pension age |
|---|---|
| 6 October 1954 to 5 April 1960 | 66 |
| 6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961 | Between 66 and 67, rising by a month for each month of birth |
| 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977 | 67 |
| 6 April 1977 to 5 April 1978 | A fixed date between 6 May 2044 and 6 March 2046 |
| 6 April 1978 or later | 68 |
The rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028
The State Pension age has been 66 since October 2020. From May 2026 it started rising to 67, one month at a time:
| Born between | State Pension age |
|---|---|
| 6 April and 5 May 1960 | 66 years 1 month |
| 6 May and 5 June 1960 | 66 years 2 months |
| 6 June and 5 July 1960 | 66 years 3 months |
| 6 July and 5 August 1960 | 66 years 4 months |
| 6 August and 5 September 1960 | 66 years 5 months |
| 6 September and 5 October 1960 | 66 years 6 months |
| 6 October and 5 November 1960 | 66 years 7 months |
| 6 November and 5 December 1960 | 66 years 8 months |
| 6 December 1960 and 5 January 1961 | 66 years 9 months |
| 6 January and 5 February 1961 | 66 years 10 months |
| 6 February and 5 March 1961 | 66 years 11 months |
Where the month you'd reach it doesn't have that day, you reach it on the last day of the month. Someone born on 31 July 1960 reaches 66 years and 4 months on 30 November 2026.
The rise to 68
Under the Pensions Act 2007, State Pension age goes up from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. If you were born between 6 April 1977 and 5 April 1978, you reach it on a fixed date. Someone born on 20 August 1977 reaches State Pension age on 6 January 2045. Anyone born on or after 6 April 1978 reaches it at 68. The government has to review the State Pension age regularly, and the rise to 68 could be brought forward, but that would need a new law.
Worked examples
- Born 1 March 1958: State Pension age 66, reached on 1 March 2024.
- Born 15 June 1965: State Pension age 67, reached on 15 June 2032.
- Born 31 December 1960: 66 years and 9 months, reached on 30 September 2027.
- Born 29 February 1980: State Pension age 68, reached on 29 February 2048.
How much is the State Pension in 2026/27?
From 6 April 2026 the full new State Pension is £241.30 a week, up 4.8% from £230.25 under the triple lock. That's £965.20 every four weeks, the way it's usually paid, or £12,547.60 a year. The older basic State Pension, for men born before 6 April 1951 and women born before 6 April 1953, is £184.90 a week at the full rate.
You usually need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to get the full new State Pension and at least 10 to get any. With fewer than 35 you get a proportion, so 30 years gives roughly 30/35 of the full rate. Years can come from work, National Insurance credits (for example while claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12, or Carer's Allowance) or voluntary contributions.
Tips
- The State Pension isn't paid automatically. You should get a letter about two months before your State Pension age telling you how to claim.
- Check your State Pension forecast and NI record on GOV.UK. Filling gaps with voluntary contributions can be good value if you're short of 35 years.
- You can put off claiming. Each 9 weeks you defer adds 1% to the new State Pension.
- Your workplace or personal pension can usually be taken from age 55 (rising to 57 in April 2028). Plan your income with the pension calculator, see how the State Pension is taxed with the income tax calculator, or check your exact age with the age calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the State Pension age now?
It's 66 for people born between 6 October 1954 and 5 April 1960. For people born from 6 April 1960 it's rising to 67 between May 2026 and March 2028.
When will the State Pension age be 67?
Anyone born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 has a State Pension age of 67. The first people to reach 67 as their State Pension age will do so from March 2028.
When does the State Pension age go up to 68?
Under current law it rises from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046, for people born on or after 6 April 1977. Anyone born on or after 6 April 1978 reaches it at 68.
How much is the full State Pension in 2026?
The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week from 6 April 2026, which is £12,547.60 a year. The full basic State Pension is £184.90 a week.
How many years of National Insurance do I need for a full State Pension?
You usually need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension and at least 10 years to get anything.
Last reviewed October 2026 using 2026/27 figures. This calculator gives an estimate for guidance only.