State Pension age checker: when do you reach it?
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
Your State Pension age depends on your date of birth. It is 66 now and is rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Enter your date of birth to see the age and the date that apply to you, and what starts on that day.
The timetable in plain English
| Date of birth | State Pension age |
|---|---|
| Before 6 April 1960 | 66 |
| 6 April 1960 to 5 March 1961 | 66 and between 1 and 11 months, rising by a month for each month you were born later |
| 6 March 1961 to 5 April 1977 | 67 |
| 6 April 1977 to 5 April 1978 | Between 67 and 68 |
| On or after 6 April 1978 | 68 |
This is the timetable in current law. Governments review it from time to time, and the later increases could be brought forward, so if you are some years away treat the result as the position today. The GOV.UK checker is the official answer and also gives your Pension Credit qualifying date.
Why the date matters
Several things start on the day you reach State Pension age, not on a birthday:
- You can claim your State Pension. It is not paid automatically.
- In England outside London, you qualify for the free bus pass. Londoners move from the 60+ Oyster to the Freedom Pass.
- You can claim Pension Credit if your income is low, and Attendance Allowance if you need help with personal care.
- You come into the age group for the Winter Fuel Payment.
The State Pension age checklist is a one-page list of what to claim and do.
Common questions
Is State Pension age the same for men and women?
Yes. It has been the same for men and women since 2018.
Can I take my State Pension early?
No. You cannot claim it before your State Pension age. You can put off claiming it, which increases the amount you get later.
Do I get my State Pension automatically?
No, you have to claim it. You should get a letter a few months before you reach State Pension age telling you how. If you do not, you can still claim.
Why does the result say to check GOV.UK?
For a small group of birth dates the age is between 67 and 68 and depends on fixed dates set in law, so we send you to the official checker instead of guessing.