Your State Pension age is the earliest you can begin receiving your State Pension
Changes to the State Pension age in the UK are set to take place next year with the age rising from 66 to 67. The change is expected to be completed for all men and women across the country by 2028.
The update from the DWP isn’t new, it has been part of the government department’s plans and has formed part of the UK law since 2014. A further rise has already been planned, to be implemented between 2044 and 2046.
Your State Pension age is the earliest you can begin receiving your State Pension. It might differ from the age you can access a workplace or personal pension. The online tool on GOV.UK allows anyone of any age to check their State Pension age.
The Liverpool ECHO previously reported on the State Pension changes, posting a status to Facebook which read: “State Pension age to go up in 2026 for people who were born in these years.”
The post had a huge level of engagement with over 7,000 comments and 2,500 reactions. Many people voiced their frustrations about the State Pension age rising.
Christine Martin commented: “You should be able to retire when you’ve paid 35 yrs National Insurance, not by age, it’s ridiculous. Why should folk have to graft into their late 60s and some won’t see their pension at all.”
Gaynor Madgwick urged the British public to take action, writing: “Can someone start a campaign of signatures etc, appalling no incentive for people to struggle to work till they drop or die.” Catherine Pearce wrote: “My mum passed away at 64 yrs she never got her pension. It needs to be put back to at least 64 so the youth have a chance.”
Andy Fountain replied to the post, using his own experience of being retired to form his opinion: “I worked as a Bricklayer until I was 64, I spent 33 years out of 48 years of work out in all winds and weathers. I very much doubt if the numbskulls in favour of raising the retirement age would last a week.”
The disappointed continued, with many Facebook users thinking about younger generations and what the State Pension age may look like in years to come. Helen Kanes shared: “I knew this was coming up years ago. Who I feel for is my daughter and all those around her age. They are probably going to have to work until they’re 75 or older. They will never get a pension the way this is going.”
Care worker Beverly Wood agreed with other comments, adding: “I work in care going to find it very difficult at 68 hoisting and rolling patients at the age of 68 hard enough now at 64! Then they wonder why people go on long term sick no option for some people!”
The UK government also altered the phasing of the State Pension age increase, this means that instead of reaching the State Pension age on a specific date, individuals born between March 6, 1961, and April 5, 1977, will be eligible to claim the State Pension once they turn 67.
People will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions in advance of the changes. The Pensions Act 2014 mandates a regular review of the State Pension age at least every five years.
This review will be based on the principle that individuals should be able to spend a certain portion of their adult life receiving a State Pension, A review of the proposed increase to 68 is due before this decade ends.
The State Pension age review will consider life expectancy and other relevant factors. Following the review’s findings, the UK government may decide to implement changes to the State Pension age. Any suggested changes must pass through Parliament before becoming law.
