Changes to state pension age - In England

From 6 April, important new changes to the state pension age are being introduced.

State pension age is the age when people can choose to start getting their State Pension. State pension age used to always be 60 for a woman and 65 for a man. However, state pension age is changing for most people.

If you are a woman born on or after 6 April 1950, you will no longer be able to claim a state pension age at the age of 60 and if you are a man born on or after 6th April 1959 you will no longer be able to claim a state pension at the age of 65.

If you fall into one of these groups of men or women, the age when you can claim your state pension will gradually increase, depending on your date of birth.

Along with the changes in state pension age, there will be gradual changes to the age when you can claim some other age-related benefits such as Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment.

If you're a woman, you will be able to claim these benefits from the date that you become entitled to your State Pension. If you're a man, you will be able to claim the benefits once you've reached the state pension age of a woman with the same date of birth as you.

Other important changes to the State Pension are also coming in from 6 April. These include a reduction in the number of qualifying years needed for a full basic State Pension and changes to national insurance credits.

For more information about state pension age and benefits you can claim when you reach state pension age, see Benefits for people over sixty.

For more information about national insurance credits and qualifying for State Pension, see National insurance – contributions and benefits.