I am a bit confused about when I can claim my state pension in 2021. My birth date is 15 December 1955. I have read on the Government website that I have to wait an extra two months after my 66th birthday to receive my state pension – is this correct? And if so, could you explain the reason why please?

Susan

Tom Selby, AJ Bell Senior Analyst says:

The UK state pension age has been rising since 2010, although the plans were actually first outlined way back in 1995.

This was done because while average life expectancy had increased significantly over a number of decades, the state pension age had remained unchanged since it was introduced in its modern structure just after the Second World War.

The first part of the reforms saw the state pension age for women increased from 60 to 65, bringing it into line with the state pension age for men. In order to cushion the impact, rather than going for an overnight increase
to 65 the Government decided
to phase it in between 2010
and 2018.

The state pension age for men and women was then increased to 66 between 2018 and 2020. As a result of this transitional approach, lots of people had a state pension age of somewhere between 60 and 66 during
this period.

For example, women born between 6 April and 5 May 1953 had a state pension age of between 63 years, two months and one day, and 63 years and three months. Women born a year later – between 6 April and 5 May 1954 – had a state pension age of between 65 years, six months and one day, and 65 years and seven months.

You can see a full copy of the state pension age timetable for women born between April 1953 and April 1960 here. 

The transition period to a state pension age of 66 for all was completed in October this year. This means anyone born between 5 October 1954 and 5 April 1960 will have a state pension age of 66 under current legislation.

That means (based on the date of birth provided) your state pension age should be 66 exactly, rather than 66 and two months.

There are, however, plans in place to increase the state pension age again to 67 between 2026 and 2028. During this period there be a group of people – this time born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 – who will have a state pension age between 66 and 67.

The final legislated increase in the state pension age is due to happen between 2044 and 2046. However, the Government has previously set out its intention to accelerate this timetable, so the rise occurs between 2037 and 2039 instead.

If you’re interested, you can check your state pension forecast at www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

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