Retirement used to feel like a finish line. You worked hard, turned 65 or 66, and finally got to put your feet up. But now, for millions in the UK, that line is moving — and not in the direction they hoped. The state pension age is set to rise to 68 earlier than expected, and it’s about to change the way a whole generation thinks about retirement.
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Reason
The simple reason behind the increase? People are living longer — and that’s not cheap. Back in the 1980s, a retiree might collect a pension for 15–20 years. Today, with life expectancy well past 80, many people will receive state pension payments for 30 years or more. Multiply that by millions of retirees, and you’ve got a massive government bill.
According to the UK Parliament, just a one-year increase in the pension age saves billions. With the Treasury already paying out over £100 billion a year in pensions, the government is under pressure to make the system sustainable.
Timeline
So, who’s affected — and when? It all depends on when you were born. Here’s a quick look at the current and likely future state pension ages:
| Year | State Pension Age | Who It Affects |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 66 | Current standard for all |
| 2028 | 67 | Those born after April 1960 |
| 2035–2037* | 68 | Likely for those born after 1970 |
*Official timeline under review, with decisions expected by 2026–2027. Right now, the law says 68 won’t kick in until the late 2040s, but momentum is building to fast-track it.
Impact
Here’s the thing: working until 68 might be fine if you’ve got a comfortable office job. But it’s a completely different story for manual workers — carers, cleaners, warehouse staff — whose bodies take a beating over the decades.
The later retirement age hits them hardest, especially since they tend to rely more on the state pension as their main income in old age. Employers may need to rethink support for older workers, offering better training, health programs, and flexible hours to help people stay in the game longer.
Payment
As of April 2025, the full new state pension will be £221.20 per week — around £11,500 a year. But to get that amount, you’ll need a full National Insurance record, which usually means 35 qualifying years. If you’ve got gaps in your record, your payment could be lower.
Either way, the state pension alone probably won’t cut it. That’s why building up other sources of retirement income is more important than ever.
Planning
So, what does this mean for your retirement plan? Basically, don’t count on retiring at 66 — and don’t count solely on the state pension to get you through. If you’re in your 30s, 40s or even 50s, it’s time to take retirement into your own hands:
- Boost your workplace pension contributions
- Open a personal pension or Lifetime ISA
- Consider investing to grow long-term savings
- Use the “Check your State Pension Forecast” tool to see where you stand
A couple of extra working years might not sound like much now — but that’s thousands of extra workdays when you were planning to slow down.
Reality
Despite all the headlines, the pension age change to 68 hasn’t officially been locked in for the mid-2030s. The 2023 review left room for another review in 2026 or 2027 before a final decision is made. But make no mistake — the trend is clear. The state pension age is heading upward, and your retirement strategy needs to keep pace.