State Pension age change: what advisers need to know (from April 2026)
From 6 April 2026, the UK State Pension age (SPA) is rising from 66 to 67. This is a planned and legislated change, but it is now live and beginning to affect clients approaching retirement.
What is changing?
- The State Pension age increase is phased, not a single jump.
- It rises gradually between April 2026 and March 2028.
- The exact SPA depends on a person’s date of birth, with changes applied in monthly steps. [independent.co.uk]
Who is affected?
- Born on or before 5 April 1960
→ State Pension age remains 66. - Born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961
→ Transitional group; State Pension age is between 66 and 67, increasing by up to 11 months depending on date of birth. - Born on or after 6 March 1961 (up to 5 April 1977)
→ State Pension age is 67.
A client born just one day later than another may have to wait weeks or months longer, so advisers should avoid assumptions based on age alone.
Why this matters in advice work
- Some clients will face a short income gap if they had planned to retire at 66 with the expectation of State Pension starting immediately.
- This may increase reliance on:
- Universal Credit (for working‑age claimants)
- Pension Credit (once SPA is reached)
- Occupational or private pensions
- Continued or part‑time work
- Clients with health conditions, caring responsibilities or manual work histories may be disproportionately affected.
Key actions for advisers
- ✅ Check the client’s exact State Pension age using the GOV.UK checker – do not rely on year of birth alone.
- ✅ Review whether there is a gap between stopping work and pension entitlement.
- ✅ Consider knock‑on effects for benefit entitlement, especially where a client is close to Pension Credit age.
- ✅ Be alert to cases where clients may need budgeting support or benefit bridging for a few months.
Looking ahead
- A further rise from 67 to 68 is currently legislated for 2044–2046, subject to review.
- Any future change must be announced with at least 10 years’ notice.
Key message for clients
If you were born after April 1960, your State Pension may start later than you expect – check your exact date and plan ahead.