State Pension Age

Modified on Wed, 26 Nov, 2025 at 11:27 AM

The State Pension Age is the earliest you can claim your State Pension.

Your State Pension Age depends on when you were born.

For those born between 6 October 1954 and 5 April 1960 the State Pension Age is 66.

For those born after 5 April 1960 up to 6 April 1978 there will be a phased increase in the State Pension Age from 66 – 68 years:

Date of Birth	Date State Pension Age Reached
6 October 1954 – 5 April 1960	66^th birthday
6 April 1960 – 5 May 1960	66 years and 1 month*
6 May 1960 – 5 June 1960	66 years and 2 months*
6 June 1960 – 5 July 1960	66 years and 3 months*
6 July 1960 – 5 August 1960	66 years and 4 months* (1)
6 August 1960 – 5 September 1960	66 years and 5 months*
6 September 1960 – 5 October 1960	66 years and 6 months*
6 October 1960 – 5 November 1960	66 years and 7 months*
6 November 1960 – 5 December 1960	66 years and 8 months* (2)
6 December 1960 – 5 January 1961	66 years and 9 months*
6 January 1961 – 5 February 1961	66 years and 10 months*
6 February 1961 – 5 March 1961	66 years and 11 months*
6 March 1961 – 5 April 1977	67^th birthday
6 April 1977 – 5 May 1977	6 May 2044
6 May 1977 – 5 June 1977	6 July 2044
6 June 1977 – 5 July 1977	6 September 2044
6 July 1977 – 5 August 1977	6 November 2044
6 August 1977 – 5 September 1977	6 January 2045
6 September 1977 – 5 October 1977	6 March 2045
6 October 1977 – 5 November 1977	6 May 2045
6 November 1977 – 5 December 1977	6 July 2045
6 December 1977 – 5 January 1978	6 September 2045
6 January 1978 – 5 February 1978	6 November 2045
6 February 1978 – 5 March 1978	6 January 2046
6 March 1978 – 5 April 1978	6 March 2046
6 April 1978 onwards	68^th birthday

*Count the date in calendar months on from the 66^th birthday. Examples below:

(1) A person born on 31 July 1960 for example, would be considered to have reach 66 years and 4 months on 30 November 2026.

66^th birthday on 31 July 2026.

66 years and 1 month on 31 August 2026

66 years and 2 months on 30 September 2026

66 years and 3 months on 31 October 2026

66 years and 4 months on from 30 November 2026

(2) A person born on 20^th November 1960 would be considered to have reached 66 years and 8 months on 20^th July 2027:

66^th birthday on 20^th November 2026

66y 1m on 20^th December 2026

66y 2m on 20^th January 2027

66y 3m on 20^th February 2027

66y 4m on 20^th March 2027

66y 5m on 20^th April 2027

66y 6m on 20^th May 2027

66y 7m on 20^th June 2027

66y 8m on 20^th July 2027

It’s important not to confuse the State Pension Age with your retirement age. Retirement age is the age you retire –it’s up to you when that is and can vary a lot depending on your financial situation. You can continue to work past State Pension Age and not retire.