State Pension age changes - What is State Pension age?

State Pension age is the earliest age at which you can get your State Pension. 

There are now two types of State Pension:

• Basic State Pension for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016
• New State Pension for people who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016

You can check the date that you reach State Pension age on the Check your State Pension age page of the government website.

State Pension age has been changing. State Pension age has been increasing for women to match the State Pension age for men. From December 2018, State Pension age increased for both men and women to the age of 66. From 2026, it will be increased again. Read more about the changes in the State Pension age - What is happening to State Pension age? section of this guide. 

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Options when you reach State Pension age:

• Stop working and get your State Pension
• Carry on working and get your State Pension as well
• Carry on working and put off claiming your State Pension. You may be able to get extra State Pension or a lump-sum payment when you do claim it.

Updated June 2022