The state pension age is the earliest age at which you are able to claim your state pension benefits. For many years this has been 65 for men and 60 for women, but things are soon to change. And the age at which you can claim that state pension will be determined by when you were born. However, this could all change again under a new government following the forthcoming general election.

At present, the state pension age is 65 for all men born before 6 April 1959 and 60 for every woman born on or before 5 April 1950. But these benchmarks are set to rise between 2010 and 2046.

From next year, the state pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950 will start to increase gradually to 65 over the coming decade and then from 2020 both sexes will have a retirement age of 65.

Moving retirement age above 65

Between 2024 and 2046 the state pension age will rise for both men and women. This increase, again, will be gradual, occurring over two years every decade. The change for both men and women will mean the following:

The state pension age will increase from 65 to 66 between April 2024 and April 2026

And from 66 to 67 between April 2034 and April 2036

And then from 67 to 68 between April 2044 and April 2046