State pension age calculator

Successive governments have increased the age at which we can get our hands on the state pension.

The days when women could get it at 60 and men at 65 will soon be a distant memory.

For many of us, the state pension will form the core of our retirement income, so it's important to be clear exactly when you qualify for it. Use our calculator to find out when you can start claiming the state pension.

When can I claim the state pension?

You can claim state pension when you reach the state pension age. For men and women, the pension retirement age is currently 66.

The state pension age is scheduled to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

The age at which you're eligible for the state pension is set to increase again to age 68, with the change legislated to happen between 2044 and 2046. 

In March 2023, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said that the current planned rise from 67 to 68 by 2046 ‘remains appropriate’, however the Government left the door open for a further review.

The state pension age timetable stays unchanged for now, with the next review probably in 2026. Separate independent reviews in 2017 and 2023 have recommended the age rising to 68 in 2037-39 and 2041-43 respectively. 

The 'ten year warning' rule means that in theory the increase to 68 in 2037-39 could still happen if confirmed in 2026.

State pension age calculator

To find out when you will qualify for the state pension, you can use our state pension age calculator.

All you'll need to input is whether you're a man or woman and your date of birth.

Note - In July 2017, the government announced its intention to increase the state pension age from 67 to 68 between 2037 and 2039, but this hasn't been confirmed and an announcement in March 2023 delayed a final decision until 2026. The calculator currently has the increase to age 68 happening between 2044 and 2046. 

Claiming the state pension

If you live in the UK, you won't receive your state pension automatically when you reach state pension age.

You'll get a letter four months before you retire, which will detail how you can claim. 

There are three ways in which you can claim:

• over the phone by calling the state pension claim line (0800 731 7898)
• online by registering with Government Gateway via the Department for Work and Pensions website
• by downloading the state pension claim form and sending it to your local pension centre.