Overview
- The phased increase will be completed by 2028, ending the previous system of a single qualification date for large cohorts.
- State Pension rates for 2026/27 rise on 6 April, with the full new State Pension increasing to £241.30 a week.
- The Department for Work and Pensions will notify affected people in advance, and GOV.UK tools provide official checks for State Pension age and projected payments.
- To receive any New State Pension requires at least 10 qualifying National Insurance years, with about 35 years typically needed for the full amount, and those previously contracted out may need to fill gaps with credits or voluntary contributions.
- Consumer analysts caution that more retirees could face income tax on their State Pension as the full rate nears the frozen personal allowance, while a new Pensions Commission and actuarial review are due to report in 2027 on longer-term reforms.