David Ball
CHANGES TO THE STATE PENSION AGE
30th November 2011
CHANGES TO THE STATE PENSION AGE
Those who follow the latest news section of our website may recall that this time last year we confirmed the changes proposed by the current Government to the State Pension Age.
The majority of the changes proposed at that time have recently become law, via the Finance Act 2011, however the Government has delayed the date when the State Pension Age will rise to 66 by six months, from its original proposals.
Equalisation of the State Pension Age to 65
The Government announced in its Comprehensive Spending Review last year that the date when the State Pension Age would be equalised at 65 was to be brought forward to November 2018 from April 2020.
This subsequently became law with the changes affecting women born after 6 April 1953 as follows:
|
Date of birth |
Date State Pension age reached |
|
6 April 1953 to 5 May 1953 |
6 July 2016 |
|
6 May 1953 to 5 June 1953 |
6 November 2016 |
|
6 June 1953 to 5 July 1953 |
6 March 2017 |
|
6 July 1953 to 5 August 1953 |
6 July 2017 |
|
6 August 1953 to 5 September 1953 |
6 November 2017 |
|
6 September 1953 to 5 October 1953 |
6 March 2018 |
|
6 October 1953 to 5 November 1953 |
6 July 2018 |
|
6 November 1953 to 5 December 1953 |
6 November 2018 |
Rise to 66
The Government also announced in its Comprehensive Spending Review that the date from which the State Pension Age is to be increased to 66 was being brought forward to April 2020, from 2026 as previously planned.
This also subsequently became law with both men and women being affected by the move to age 66 with the phasing in as follows:
|
Date of birth |
Date State Pension age reached |
|
6 December 1953 to 5 January 1954 |
6 March 2019 |
|
6 January 1954 to 5 February 1954 |
6 May 2019 |
|
6 February 1954 to 5 March 1954 |
6 July 2019 |
|
6 March 1954 to 5 April 1954 |
6 September 2019 |
|
6 April 1954 to 5 May 1954 |
6 November 2019 |
|
6 May 1954 to 5 June 1954 |
6 January 2020 |
|
6 June 1954 to 5 July 1954 |
6 March 2020 |
|
6 July 1954 to 5 August 1954 |
6 May 2020 |
|
6 August 1954 to 5 September 1954 |
6 July 2020 |
|
6 September 1954 to 5 October 1954 |
6 September 2020 |
|
6 October 1954 to 5 April 1960 |
66th birthday |
Although this has been delayed by six months this will only benefit individuals born between 6 January 1954 and 5 October 1954.
Check your State Pension Age
You are able to check your State Pension Age on the Directgov website, based on the current legislation, here http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.asp
Further change proposed by the Government – rise to 67
Unfortunately the changes do not end there!
The Chancellor announced in his Autumn Statement, on 29 November 2011, the intention to increase the State Pension Age to 67 between 2026 and 2028, rather than from 2036 as previously planned.
This will affect people born after 5 April 1960, but before 6 April 1969 as follows:
|
Date of birth |
Approximate State Pension Age |
|
6 April 1960 to 5 May 1960 |
66 years and 1 month |
|
6 May 1960 to 5 June 1960 |
66 years and 2 months |
|
6 June 1960 to 5 July 1960 |
66 years and 3 months |
|
6 July 1960 to 5 August 1960 |
66 years and 4 months |
|
6 August 1960 to 5 September 1960 |
66 years and 5 months |
|
6 September 1960 to 5 October 1960 |
66 years and 6 months |
|
6 October 1960 to 5 November 1960 |
66 years and 7 months |
|
6 November 1960 to 5 December 1960 |
66 years and 8 months |
|
6 December 1960 to 5 January 1961 |
66 years and 9 months |
|
6 January 1961 to 5 February 1961 |
66 years and 10 months |
|
6 February 1961 to 5 March 1961 |
66 years and 11 months |
|
6 March 1961 to 5 April 1969 |
67 years |
The Government is also considering the current timetable to increase the State Pension age to 68, with this likely to be phased in earlier than the planned 2046.
We will, of course, confirm any changes to the proposals on this website, however if you think you are affected and would like further information please contact us.
