What Is the State Pension Age and When Can I Claim It?

There is no longer a single retirement age in the UK. Your State Pension age depends on your date of birth, and it is moving. This guide is part of our complete guide to UK retirement rules.

01What is your State Pension age?

In the transition group, a single day can move your date by a month. Use our State Pension Age Calculator for your exact date, or the official GOV.UK tool. If you were born in 1960 or 1961, see our month-by-month guide to State Pension age for people born in 1960 and 1961.

02Will the State Pension age rise to 68 sooner?

It might. The law says the State Pension age reaches 68 between 2044 and 2046. A government review launched in July 2025, including an independent report led by Dr Suzy Morrissey, is looking at whether that timetable should change. Its findings must be published by March 2029.

As of October 2026, no recommendations have been published. Despite reports that the rise could come as early as the late 2030s, the Treasury has said the law remains a rise to 68 in 2044. The government has also committed to giving at least ten years’ notice of any change.

A sensible approach: if you were born in the late 1970s or later, plan around 68. If you were born in the early to mid 1970s, build in some slack in case the date moves.

03How do you claim the State Pension?

This catches people out every year. The State Pension is not paid automatically. You have to claim it.

1. You should receive an invitation letter up to four months before you reach State Pension age. It contains an invitation code.
2. Claim online at GOV.UK using the code, by phone on 0800 731 7898, or by post.
3. If no letter has arrived and you are within three months of your State Pension age, you can request a code online. With two months to go, call the claim line.

If you claim late, your claim can be backdated by up to 12 months, though not to before your State Pension age.

If you do not claim, your State Pension is automatically deferred.

04Can you take it early or late?

You cannot take the State Pension early. Unlike a private pension, which you can reach from 55, there is no early access at a reduced rate.

You can take it late. For every nine weeks you defer, your State Pension rises by 1%, which is just under 5.8% for a full year. On the full new State Pension, a year's deferral adds £13.99 a week for life.

05Why might your forecast be lower than you expected?

Before you rely on a date, check the amount. Your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK shows what you are on track to receive, and many people are surprised by it.

The most common reason is contracting out. If you were in a workplace pension before 2016, particularly in the public sector or a final salary scheme, you probably paid a lower rate of National Insurance. In return, that scheme took on the job of paying part of your pension. Your forecast may show a COPE figure, which stands for Contracted Out Pension Equivalent. It is an estimate of the amount you should be getting from that workplace pension instead.

So a lower forecast does not usually mean you have been short-changed. It means part of your pension is coming from somewhere else. It is still worth checking that you know where that workplace pension is. If you do not, see how to find lost pensions.

06How do you cover the gap if your date is later than you planned?

This matters most for people in the transition. If you had planned to stop work at 66 and your State Pension age turns out to be 66 years and 7 months, that is seven months without it. At the full new rate, that is a little over £7,300 arriving later than you had pencilled in.

You have not lost that money. Your State Pension is still paid for life once it starts. But you do need a plan for the months in between if you’re planning to stop work at 65 or 66. The usual options are:

• Working a little longer, or reducing your hours gradually
• Using savings or ISAs, which can be withdrawn without tax
• Drawing on a workplace or private pension, which you can access from 55. Be careful about triggering the Money Purchase Annual Allowance if you are still paying in.

Knowing your exact date early is what makes this manageable. A gap you have planned for is an inconvenience. One you discover three months before your leaving party is a problem.

07Does it matter when you stop work?

No. Your State Pension age is based only on your date of birth. You can carry on working after you claim, and once you reach State Pension age you stop paying National Insurance on your earnings.

What you receive depends on your National Insurance record. See how many NI years you need for a full State Pension. The State Pension is also taxable, which matters more each year. See income tax in retirement.

08What should you check four to six months before your date?

• Your exact State Pension date
• Your forecast, and any COPE figure on it
• Your National Insurance record, for gaps or part years you could still fill
• That you can sign in to claim online
• Whether you have traced all your old workplace pensions
• What other income you will have once your State Pension starts, because that decides how much tax you pay
• Whether you want to claim straight away or defer

09Frequently asked questions

Can I claim my State Pension early?

No. The earliest you can receive it is your State Pension age.

Is State Pension age the same for men and women?

Yes. It has been equal since November 2018.

Do I have to retire to claim it?

No. You can claim and keep working. Your State Pension is added to your other income for tax.

What happens if I forget to claim?

It is treated as deferred. When you do claim, you get a higher weekly amount for the time you waited.

Can I claim early if I am in poor health or have a physical job?

No. State Pension age takes no account of health or occupation. If you cannot work before then, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit, which also give you National Insurance credits.

I worked abroad for some years. Does that count?

It may. Working in the EEA, Switzerland or a country with a social security agreement with the UK can help you meet the 10-year minimum. If years look to be missing from your forecast, contact the International Pension Centre.

How much notice will I get if the State Pension age changes?

The government has committed to at least ten years' notice of any change.

10Sources and further reading

• GOV.UK: Check your State Pension age
• GOV.UK: The new State Pension, how to claim
• GOV.UK: Delay (defer) your State Pension
• GOV.UK: Third State Pension age review

Important: This guide is financial education, not regulated financial advice or a personal recommendation. It reflects the rules for the 2026/27 UK tax year as at October 2026. Tax rules change, and how they apply depends on your circumstances. If you are unsure, speak to an FCA-regulated financial adviser. You can also get free, impartial guidance from MoneyHelper, and from Pension Wise if you are 50 or over.